No Child Left Inside
The Federal Budget & No Child Left Inside Act
Earlier this month, President Obama unveiled his new federal budget. Within the Department of Education’s budget, the President calls for funding for students to receive a “Well Balanced Education.” What does this mean? According to the budget, a Well Balanced Education includes ensuring all students are environmentally literate.
This is a huge victory for Environmental Education. Department of Education Secretary Duncan has heard from thousands of people (including the Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environment Education) that creating an environmentally literate citizenry is important for our future.
What is the next step?
The next step is to have the language from the No Child Left Inside Act to be included in the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (a.k.a. No Child Left Behind). Rather than have the No Child Left Inside Act push through Congress on its own, the hope is that the language (and associated funding) will be included in the re-authorization of the ESEA. By including the NCLI language in EAEA, it is hoped that the programs and funding for environmental education will be authorized faster.
What does the No Child Left Inside Act mean for Nebraska?
The No Child Left Inside Act has a potential to bring not only financial support, but also awareness, training and structure for environmental education in Nebraska. The Act would require all states to create an Environmental Education Literacy Plan. This Plan, much like the essential learning standards for music, visual and performing art, and foreign languages, would provide a framework for educators to follow to ensure students are both knowledgeable in environmental issues and able to solve environmental problems. Once Nebraska has an Environmental Literacy Plan in place, we would be eligible for federal grant monies to provide our teachers with additional trainings on environmental topics and skills. In addition, we would be eligible for monies to increase opportunities for our students in the field of environmental education. The No Child Left Inside Act has the potential to provide much needed support to Nebraska’s teachers and ensure Nebraska’s students learn about Nebraska’s natural resources.
Why Should Nebraskans Support This?
According to the Nebraska Conservation and Environment Literacy and Awareness Survey, 98% of respondents think environmental education should be taught in schools. And, yet, only 47% said schools in their community have environmental education. According to the same survey, 89% of respondents thought the condition of the environment will play a role in the nation’s economic future. To be ready for the environmental challenges which currently face the nation – and will face the nation in the future – we must begin educating our citizens now.
“Passing the No Child Left Inside Act is a key step in improving the quality of our children’s education and preparing them for the complex challenges of the future workforce,” Senator Reed said.
What can you do?
Contact Department of Education Secretary Duncan and let him know that environmental education is important for our students, or environment, and our future. Let him know that you would like the NCLI language included in the re-authorization of the EAEA.
You can contact the Department of Education at ESEA.comments@ed.gov.
Also, contact your Representative. Let them know that environmental education is vital to Nebraska’s economic and environmental future. If we are to have the leaders to prevent and solve future environmental issues, we must educate them now. If we are to have the educated voters needed to protect our natural resources, we must have the means of educating them now. A sample letter and addresses of Nebraska Representatives are below.
- Sample Letter (PDF)
- Addresses of Nebraska’s Representatives (PDF)
Write a letter to your local newspaper. Or, talk with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers about the No Child Left Inside Act. Encourage them to write a letter.
For more information on the No Child Left Inside Act, go to www.cbf.org/eenclb.
For the latest info on the bill's status, go to www.thomas.gov.