A Study of Textbooks’ Treatment of Foreign Invasive Species: Based on Authorized Textbooks of Living Environment Studies and Science for Elementary Schools, and Science for Junior and Senior High Schools

Abstract

We investigated descriptions of foreign invasive species in textbooks of Living Environment Studies in elementary school, Science in elementary school, Science in junior high school, and Science in high school. Additionally, we investigated the respective curriculum guidelines and their related commentaries. Results reveal no explanation specifically addressing invasive species in the curriculum guidelines of Living Environment Studies or Science in elementary schools. In junior high school, Science includes descriptions that include invasive species in curriculum guidelines and their related commentaries. In high school Science, textbooks introduce invasive species as a subject matter to study developmentally and in an exploratory manner. Textbooks show that learning contents are presented in higher order according to higher grades. However, some room remains for consideration because no formal basis exists for learning about invasive species. We would welcome more research to be dedicated to expanding education about foreign invasive species in educational environments.