Research conducted by Bereiter and Scardamilia on how humans learn suggests that schools attend to a higher order of learning objectives.  These include a focus on achieving an organized knowledge of a particular subject rather than a focus on achieving the knowledge in order to pass a test in a subject area.

In their studies, they found that students tend to see learning as an outcome of their teachers' actions, rather than their own.  The researchers suggest that learning be viewed as problem solving rather than as a learning activity.  They suggest a new focus--helping students monitor information for what it can contribute to their own understanding, rather than to merely complete assignments.  This can be done by framing lessons in ways that engage students in problems of understanding and identifying core concepts underlying events worldwide, by an emphasis on small group work, peer collaboration, and a focus on learning through active discussion by students of different interpretations of information.

Life in this century will require citizens who are knowledgeable about the biophysical environment and its associated problems, aware of how to help solve them, and motivated to work toward their solution. (Stapp)  Sustainability education offers an ideal means of achieving these vital educational goals.