The definition of primary education students' environmental literacy level

The aim of this search is to analyse (research) the level of 6th,7th and 8th grade students? environmental literacy. This work was carried out in the first term of 2011-2012 academic year. İn all, a survey of environmental literacy consisting of 49 items was conducted to 738 students at two different schools. The analysis of datas was done by using statistical pactage for social sciences (spss) statistics programme. In the process of datas analysis unrelated groups T-test, single way Anova test and the analysis of pearson product-moment correlation were applied. The relation between pearson product moment correlation and environmental literacy dimension (knowledge, attitude, use and concern) assessed. The dimension of students? environmental literacy (knowledge, attitude, use and concern) was evaluated with by percentage rate. The effect of students? gender on environmental literacy dimension was determined using unrelated groups t-test. The effect of parents? education level and social class on environmental literacy of them was ascertaired via one way Anova test. As a result, although childrens? knowledge about their enviranment being iradequate, it is found that children have a high concern and positive attitude for their environment. At the same time, it is determined that they are aware of the importance of environment and peoples? interaction. A positive, meaningful (significant) relationship between pearson product moment correlation and the dimension of environmental literacy is found out. The highest relation is found between attitude and use. The average point of girl students at environment knowledge and environment problems is found high. The eighth grade students? knowledge about environment and the sixth grade students? concern is found high. Also, the education level of parents becomes really effective on the students points on their environmental knowledge. Keywords: Environmental education, environmental literacy, primary school students