No Child Left Inside

19 Nov 2007

by Josh Nelson

in Policy, Education

Image

Our children deserve much better.

The Problem:

An unintended consequence of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) emphasis on math and reading is that more and more schools are leaving environmental education behind. Many schools have abandoned environmental education programs to invest more time and resources in math and reading instruction.

The Solution:

Fortunately, a new bill in Congress seeks to address this.   The No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 amends the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB) in the following ways:

  • Provides federal funding to states to train teachers in environmental education and to operate model environmental education programs, which include outdoor learning.
  • Provides funding to states that create environmental literacy plans to ensure that high school graduates are environmentally literate.
  • Provides funding through an environmental education grant program to build state and national capacity.
  • Re-establishes the Office of Environmental Education within the U.S. Department of Education.

These measures will go a long way toward giving environmental education the standing and attention it deserves in our schools.

What you can do to help:

1. Urge Congress to PASS the No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 (H.R. 3036 / S. 1981):

2. Email your friends and let them know about the lack of environmental education our children are receiving.  Be sure to give them the link to write their congressmen.

 

Josh Nelson is the Online Grassroots Coordinator for NWF's Conservation Programs.

 

 
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I am thankful that there are people out there who care that our children need outdoor education. The more we take away green spaces and provide more paved lots and buildings, the more our children are deprived of what they need psychologically,and physiologically. I am so thankful I grew up in a time where I could pick wildflowers, explore trees by climbing them, investigating homes of insects and small animals and building my own toys instead of spending my time in a mall or in front of the television or computer. All the tv's and computers in the world cannot give a child what nature can. Thank you to all those who care and know best!

From on 07 Dec 2007

Our local school district is using an organization, ME4E, that teaches environmental education but they incorporate math, reading, teambuilding and other subjects. The kids get to learn about the nature in our community and the teachers get ISAT test materials covered. My child loved working their staff too. Hopefully more schools can offer similar programs.

From on 13 Dec 2007

We are also thankful that there are caring people who understand that our children need wildlife and environmental education. We are one of those organizaions set up to take the kids beyond the walls of the classroom out into the environment. We create programs like, Wildlife Walking Excursion, Who passed by this way, (plaster casts of native animal tracks we find),Making paper by recycling nature's fiber,(dried leaves,flowers, ect.), drawing using nature's tools(media) chalk rocks and charcoal sticks. The environment becomes the classroom! Keep Up the great work!

From on 20 Dec 2007

We are also thankful that there are caring people who understand that our children need wildlife and environmental education. We are one of those organizaions set up to take the kids beyond the walls of the classroom out into the environment. We create programs like, Wildlife Walking Excursion, Who passed by this way, (plaster casts of native animal tracks we find),Making paper by recycling nature's fiber,(dried leaves,flowers, ect.), drawing using nature's tools(media) chalk rocks and charcoal sticks. The environment becomes the classroom! Keep Up the great work!

From on 20 Dec 2007