Environmental Literacy Included in Obama's New Education Budget: Historic First
Together with their legislative sponsors, the No Child Left Inside® Coalition today cheered President Obama's budget as a historic moment, noting that environmental literacy has been included in the U.S. Department of Education budget for the very first time.
"This budget takes an important step toward boosting environmental education in the classroom and giving more kids the opportunity to get out and learn about the natural world around them," said Senator Jack Reed (RI). "Environmental education can help raise student achievement in other core subjects like math and science. This is a smart investment in our children's future and the future of our planet."
"The President's budget proposal is a terrific first step for environmental education," said Congressman John Sarbanes, author of the No Child Left Inside House legislation. "I look forward to working with the Administration to more fully incorporate environmental education into school curriculums across the country."
President Obama and Secretary Duncan have made innovation and student achievement a major platform of the Obama Administration, and as a result have included environmental literacy in a new program. The proposed budget includes new funding of $1 billion for Effective Teaching and Learning for a Complete Education program designed to improve instruction to support college- and career-readiness standards, in part through the use of technology to deliver high-quality content. Among those programs eligible for funding are those deemed important to a "Well-Rounded Education," including environmental literacy.
"Advancing the environmental literacy of our students is key to addressing today's increasingly complex environmental and related economic, social, natural resource, and energy issues," said Don Baugh, Director of the No Child Left Inside® Coalition. "It will not only better prepare students for college and the 21st Century workforce, but help to combat childhood obesity and related health problems by getting kids outside to learn about the natural world. On behalf of our entire 1,500 member Coalition, I commend the President and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for recognizing the critical role that environmental education plays in preparing our students for the green economy."
"The Department of Education took a historic step for the future economy by including environmental literacy under it's 'Well-Rounded Education' budget initiative for fiscal year 2011," said Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education and Training at the National Wildlife Federation—a founding member of the Coalition. "Having an environmentally literate citizenry is key to increasing interest in the STEM fields and keeping America competitive in the global, clean energy economy."
Representing 50 million individuals nation-wide, the No Child Left Inside® Coalition has become the nation's leading voice for environmental education, speaking for a diverse group of Americans from throughout the United States who believe young people should receive a meaningful and robust education about their natural world.
Tell the Dept. of Educ. That You Support NCLI
The U.S. Department of Education is working on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, aka No Child Left Behind), and there are critical actions that must be taken now. Ensure that the bill includes provisions for pre-K through grade 12 environmental and outdoor education as outlined in the No Child Left Inside Act, sponsored by Senator Reed and Congressman Sarbanes.
The Department of Education is requesting comments on ESEA as they begin drafting new language for the bill. DOE officials have advised us that the comments they receive are being reviewed and carefully considered.
It is essential that DOE hear from every one of us about the value of environmental and outdoor education to student success and teacher quality. Write to ESEA.comments@ed.gov This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let Secretary Duncan and the Obama Administration know that you support the inclusion of NCLI in the reauthorized ESEA.
Jason Mraz Joins Sesame Street to Get Kids Outside
Rep. Sarbanes Participates in Coalition Conference Call
On Monday, December 14th, lead sponsor Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) addressed the NCLI Coalition, encouraging members to recruit new co-sponsors and coalition members. Overall, support continues to grow for the NCLI Act (H.R. 2054 / S. 866) which now has 84 sponsors in the House of Representatives and 18 in the Senate. The NCLI Coalition is working to get the NCLI Act incorporated into the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which we expect to start moving through the committee process early next year. Click the object below to listen to the conference call.
The No Child Left Inside® Coalition is composed of environmental, educational, and public health organizations, businesses, civic organizations and other public enterprises, all dedicated to ensuring a comprehensive education for all.