Environmental Education Included in ESEA Legislation

From No Child Left Inside Coalition:

BREAKING NEWS:

SENATE HELP COMMITTEE INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN ESEA LEGISLATION

 

Tonight, 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 visit www.nclicoalition.org 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.

 

NCLI Update

From NCLI Coalition dated Friday, Oct 7, 2011:

SENATE TO MARK UP DRAFT EDUCATION BILL—
HELP SECURE SUPPORT FOR THE INCLUSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDCUATION

Senator Harkin, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has announced that the committee will mark up a draft of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) on October 18. Congressional support for the NCLI Act is critical to ensuring that the HELP Committee includes environmental literacy in the draft legislation. Please help us to add additional co-sponsors to Senate Bill 1372 (the NCLI Act) by contacting your Senator today.

It has always been the aim of the NCLI Act to embed support for implementation of state-wide environmental literacy plans into ESEA. With the Senate prepared to produce a reauthorization bill for ESEA this month, we must act now to show support for expanded environmental and outdoor education in our nation’s schools.Please let your Senator know that s/he can support this goal by cosponsoring the NCLI Act today.

An ESEA that includes the provisions of the NCLI Act would support outdoor learning activities both at school and in non-formal environmental education centers, teacher professional development, and the implementation of state environmental literacy plans. By offering states increased flexibility to infuse environmental education into the preK-12 curriculum, the No Child Left Inside Act will give our nation’s students the knowledge they need to advance American competitiveness in a clean energy economy, help boost academic achievement, and offer a pipeline to success in STEM subjects.

Thank you for all you do! Please remain poised for action as we continue to make progress towards historic success!

www.nclicoalition.org

SUPPORT NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE

From NCLI Coalition:

TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE RIGHT NOW

Write to your Members of Congress. If you have not done so already, please take time to thank those who have already agreed to co-sponsor the No Child Left Inside Act and urge those who have not yet signed on to do so now! You can draft your own letter or personalize the template letters thanking current co-sponsors and encouraging new ones found here.

Connect with Congress during the August Congressional Recess. Members of Congress often use the month of August to visit with their constituents, learn more about issues close to home, and participate in public events while Congress is out of session. Please help us build support for environmental education and No Child Left Inside during this opportune time by doing one or both of the following:

· Schedule an in-person meeting with your Senator or Representative or their staff to talk about the NCLI Act and its value to you as a constituent. Bring examples of quality EE programs with you to share, as well as this NCLI fact sheet, to leave behind.

· Invite your Senator or Representative or their staff to visit a program or attend an event that highlights successful environmental education in your community.

Please help us build support for No Child Left Inside by contacting members of Congress between now and Labor Day! We can’t do it without you!

Thank you for all you do!

From NCLI Coalition

BI-PARTISAN BILL INTRODUCED TODAY:
HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE

Today Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) introduced the bi-partisan No Child Left Inside Act into the 112^th Congress. They were joined by many of their Congressional colleagues, including Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), whose leadership provides a critical bipartisan boost. This is a huge step forward towards our goal of ensuring environmental education is part of every child’s education!

Please encourage your local media outlets to cover the bill introduction and highlight locally effective environmental education programs.
For a complete list of current co-sponsors, click here. 
NCLI Coalition press release
Senator Reed’s press release
Congressman Sarbanes’ press release
The No Child Left Inside Act of 2011: Senate Bill    House Bill

JOIN SENATOR REED AND CONGRESSMAN SARBANES FOR AN EXCLUSIVE UPDATE

You are invited to join a No Child Left Inside Conference Call with Mr. Reed and Mr. Sarbanes on Tuesday July 19 at 3:00pm EST.
               Dial-in: 1-712-432-3066
              Passcode: 354022
You may submit questions you would like the Senator and Congressman to address by emailing sbodor@cbf.org before 8:00pm EST on Monday July 18.

Our progress to date would not be possible without the commitment and passion of each and every one of you! We have much more work ahead, but please take a moment to celebrate today!