Rep. Sarbanes' New Environmental Literacy Message
Thank you Representative Sarbanes for your continued support of the No Child Left Inside movement. Watch his latest video message about environmental literacy.
Senate HELP Committee Includes EE in Federal Legislation
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) completed its mark up of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). During the mark up hearing, the committee accepted an amendment put forth by Senator Casey (PA) that proposed a new grant program entitled “Well-Rounded Education” which includes environmental education as a subject eligible for funding under Title IV of ESEA. This marks an historic shift in federal education policy and is a significant and critical step towards our collective goal of ensuring access to high quality environmental and outdoor education programs for all students.
This is only one more step, but it is a big step in the right direction. Senator Harkin, Chairman of the HELP Committee, has indicated his interest in bringing the ESEA legislation to the Senate floor for a vote in the coming weeks.
We will be closely monitoring this process and pursuing all opportunities to work with our sponsor, Senator Jack Reed (RI) to build on our success and pursue additional opportunities to advance environmental literacy through ESEA. Stay tuned for further updates, and check back at this website for upcoming details on what the Senate bill would mean for states.
Thanks to all of you for your continued advocacy for NCLI. It is because of your efforts that we have achieved this remarkable milestone.
Nominations Open for Green Ribbon Schools
The US Department of Education has annouced the nomination process for Green Ribbon Schools. The program is supported by Congressman John Sarbanes as a way to recognize schools that excel in environmental education and stewardship. Click to read his press release.
Maryland Is First State to Have Green Graduates
Read the NCLI press release to learn more about this ground-breaking vote that now requires Maryland students to be environmentally literate when they graduate.
Support the NCLI Coalition
You can now make online donations to support the advocacy work of the NCLI Coalition! Please consider contributing to NCLI this holiday season—what better gift can we give to our children and grandchildren than the opportunity to learn, play, and explore their natural world through environmental and outdoor education? Donations can be made anytime.
Education Week mentions NCLI
A fantastic article came out recently that outlines the potential environmental literacy graduation requirement for Maryland students. Find out the details of how the state education system plans to have environmental literacy "threaded through" the curriculum. This is a huge step forward for environmental education and the NCLI Coalition is eager to help. Be on the lookout for action steps very soon. The article also discusses the national No Child Left Inside® movement. Click to read the full article.
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.