21 May 2008
Hands-on, experience-based environmental education can reconnect kids to the natural world. Unfortunately, because of the unintended consequences of federal education legislation, known as the "No Child Left Behind Act," many schools are so focused on new testing and curriculum requirements that environmental education is being pushed out of our schools.
Momentum is building in the U.S. Congress to pass the "No Child Left Inside Act" to get our young people learning outside and reconnected with nature through environmental education. Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island and Congressman John Sarbanes from Maryland are the lead sponsors of the No Child Left Inside legislation.
Last month, Senator Reed held a press event outside the Capitol to stress the importance of passing the "No Child Left Inside Act."
Congressman Sarbanes led the charge on an outside Congressional field hearing held on Earth Day on a refuge just north of Washington, DC.
The No Child Left Inside coalition also recently released a compelling video where you can see firsthand how environmental education is connecting children with the natural world.
We need your help:
We need your help to continue building momentum! Please take a couple of minutes to send a letter to your representatives in Congress in DC urging them to support the No Child Left Inside Act -- and ask your friends and family to do the same!
Patrick Fitzgerald is the National Wildlife Federation's Senior Legislative Representative for Environmental Education Campaigns
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