Indicator: Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) Availability (2017-2024)

<div><div><p><i><strong>This data resource includes layers in a map service. To download it, please go to the "Layers" section of this page and click the name of the dataset. This will open a new page that features a download button.</strong></i></p></div><div><strong>Access the Indicator Materials:</strong></div><div>-<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakeprogress/Analysis-and-Methods_2024_Student_FINAL-CLEAN.docx">Analysis &amp; Methods</a></div><div>-<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakeprogress/Data_2024_ELIT-StudentMWEE-Indicator_FINAL-1.xlsx">Data File</a></div><div>-<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gis.chesapeakebay.net/ags/rest/services/ChesapeakeProgress/cpELIT_MWEE_es/MapServer">Map Service</a>(Elementary School Level)</div><div>-<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gis.chesapeakebay.net/ags/rest/services/ChesapeakeProgress/cpELIT_MWEE_ms/MapServer">Map Service</a>(Middle School Level)</div><div>-<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gis.chesapeakebay.net/ags/rest/services/ChesapeakeProgress/cpELIT_MWEE_hs/MapServer">Map Service</a>(High School Level)</div></div><div></div><div>The Environmental Literacy Indicator Tool (ELIT) is a survey of public school districts used to assess district preparedness to provide environmental education and the extent to which students participate in Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in elementary, middle, and high school. Pilot data were collected in 2015, and additional survey rounds were completed in 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024. The usual biennial schedule was delayed between 2019 and 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the most recent survey reflects the 2023–24 school year. For the 2024 analysis, all local education agencies (LEAs) in the region were included, with West Virginia limited to the eight LEAs it surveys within the watershed. Responding districts were scored based on whether MWEEs were in place systemwide, present in some schools or classrooms, or absent altogether, and high school responses were evaluated using course-level information. Because response rates vary by jurisdiction, results are reported both as a share of all districts and as a share of responding districts, with the latter providing the better picture of indicator status.</div><div></div><div><strong>Note: This Indicator supported progress tracking toward the Student Outcome in the original Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, adopted in 2014. The Watershed Agreement and Student Environmental Literacy Experiences Outcome were revised in 2025.</strong></div>