,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abci ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #bj1 #bjbc ,mr4 ,reed 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 and ,mr4 ,merkley7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to promote environmental literacy4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,no ,child ,left ,inside ,act of #bjbc4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,hands-on experiences in nature help build stronger1 smarter1 and happier children4 7#b7 ,children and young adults are increasingly disconnected from the natural world around them1 spending less time outside playing1 exploring1 and learning4 7#c7 ,quality education for students includes regular opportunities to make connections outside of the classroom4 7#d7 ,environmental education1 when integrated across the curriculum1 has positive impacts on the development of important skills1 such as critical thinking1 problem solving1 and citizenship and leadership skills4 7#e7 ,every student should have the opportunity to participate in residential outdoor education programs or comparable outdoor education programs4 7#f7 ,outdoor and environmental education programs have been shown to build critical thinking skills and leadership skills1 and can improve student attendance and retention rates4 7#g7 ,colleges1 universities1 and higher education associations play a critical role in cultivating the next generation of scientists1 engineers1 educators1 planners1 and business leaders for #bast century careers in the public and private sectors4 7#h7 ,environmental education1 as part of the formal prekindergarten through grade #ab school curriculum1 has positive impacts on student achievement in all subjects1 and especially in science1 reading1 mathematics1 and social studies1 and improves critical thinking skills1 enthusiasm for learning1 stewardship1 and healthy lifestyles4 7#i7 ,the ,partnership for #bast ,century ,learning identified environmental literacy as one of the key interdisciplinary themes critical to helping students to acquire the skills1 knowledge1 and expertise necessary to succeed in work and life4 7#aj7 ,the ,programme for ,international ,student ,assessment 7,,pisa7 rankings find that the ,united ,states is falling behind other nations in preparing students with the educational tools necessary to compete for the growing opportunities in the sciences1 including careers related to the environment1 natural resources1 and energy4 7#aa7 ,forty-six ,states have developed1 or are in the process of developing1 environmental literacy plans to effectively integrate environmental education into the prekindergarten through grade #ab curriculum and to ensure that students graduate from high school environmentally literate4 7#ab7 ,support from the ,department of ,education is needed to help ,state and local educational agencies1 and the partners of such agencies1 implement environmental literacy plans and advance ,state curriculum frameworks for environmental and natural resource education that meets new ,state academic content and student achievement standards4 7#ac7 ,federal science agencies1 natural resource agencies1 and other agencies have important resources1 including ,federal lands and laboratories1 content experts1 data1 and programs1 that can inform and support ,state and local environmental literacy policies and programming4 #c4 ,environmental literacy ,title ,,iv 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gaja et seq47 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,g ,environmental literacy #dgja4 ,definitions ,in this part3 7#a7 ,eligible partnership ,the term eligible partnership means a partnership that includes a local educational agency and not less than #a of the following partners3 7,a7 ,a ,federal1 ,state1 regional1 or local environmental or natural resource management agency1 or parks and recreation department1 that has demonstrated effectiveness1 expertise1 and experience in the field of environmental literacy1 including the professional development of teachers4 7,b7 ,a nonprofit organization that has demonstrated effectiveness1 expertise1 and experience in the field of environmental literacy1 including the professional development of teachers1 such as-- 7i7 museums1 as defined in section #bgc of the ,museum and ,library ,services ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #iagb72 7ii7 a teacher preparation program at an institution of higher education2 7iii7 the environmental or life sciences department of an institution of higher education2 7iv7 another local educational agency1 a public charter school1 a public elementary school or secondary school1 or a consortium of such schools2 7v7 nature centers2 or 7vi7 organizations with environmental education programming4 7#b7 ,environmental literacy ,the term environmental literacy means-- 7,a7 a fundamental understanding of ecological principles1 the systems of the natural world1 the relationships and interactions between natural and man-made environments1 and the skills to apply such understanding in real-world settings2 and 7,b7 having the ability1 both individually and together with others1 to make informed decisions concerning the environment1 having the will to act on those decisions to improve the well-being of other individuals1 societies1 and the global environment1 and participating in civic life4 7#c7 ,environmental literacy plan ,the term environmental literacy plan means a plan developed1 approved1 or sponsored by a ,state educational agency in consultation with ,state environmental agencies1 ,state environmental education associations1 and ,state natural resource agencies1 and with input from the public1 that-- 7,a7 prepares students to understand ecological principles1 the systems of the natural world1 and the relationships and interactions between natural and man-made environments1 and to apply such knowledge in real-world settings2 7,b7 provides field and hands-on experiences as part of the regular school curriculum and creates programs that contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound nutrition2 7,c7 provides environmental service learning opportunities2 7,d7 provides targeted professional development opportunities for teachers that improve-- 7i7 environmental and natural resource content knowledge of teachers2 7ii7 pedagogical skills in teaching about the environment1 including the use of-- 7,i7 interdisciplinary1 field-based1 and research-based learning2 and 7,,ii7 science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics content knowledge and tools2 and 7iii7 the ability and confidence to use school buildings and grounds as a context for learning2 7,e7 describes the measures the ,state will use to assess the environmental literacy of students1 including-- 7i7 relevant ,state academic content standards and content areas regarding environmental education1 and courses or subjects where environmental education instruction will be integrated throughout the prekindergarten through grade #ab curriculum2 and 7ii7 a description of the relationship of the plan to the secondary school graduation requirements of the ,state2 7,f7 describes the outdoor learning spaces the ,state makes available to local educational agencies2 7,g7 describes how the ,state educational agency will implement the plan1 in partnership with nongovernmental organizations1 ,federal agencies1 ,state environmental agencies1 ,state environmental education associations1 ,state natural resource agencies1 and local educational agencies1 including how the ,state educational agency will secure funding and other necessary support2 7,h7 is periodically updated by the ,state educational agency not less often than every #e years2 7,i7 utilizes school buildings and grounds as a context for learning2 7,j7 describes teacher professional development needs2 and 7,k7 develops and describes a plan to adopt best management practices for early childhood environmental education1 including guidelines for time outdoors1 outdoor space design1 and learning context4 7#d7 ,high-need local educational agency ,the term high-need local educational agency means a local educational agency-- 7,a7 with respect to which not less than #bj percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income families2 7,b7 that serves not fewer than #aj1jjj children from low-income families2 7,c7 that meets the eligibility requirements for funding under section #ebaa7;b72 or 7,d7 that meets the eligibility requirements for funding under section #ebba7;b74 7#e7 ,high-need school ,the term high-need school means a public elementary school or secondary school that is located in an area in which the percentage of students from families with incomes below the poverty line is #cj percent or more4 7#f7 ,outdoor school education program ,the term outdoor school education program means a multi-day educational program that delivers outdoor hands-on learning experiences1 and that-- 7,a7 addresses community needs and contexts2 7,b7 takes place in a residential or day program setting2 7,c7 provides field study opportunities for students2 7,d7 is integrated with local school curricula and support students in meeting ,state standards2 and 7,e7 provides students with opportunities to develop leadership1 critical thinking1 and problem-solving skills4 #dgjb4 ,grants for implementation of environmental literacy plans 7a7 ,program authorized ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section1 the ,secretary shall award grants to ,states to enable the ,states to award subgrants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible partnerships to support the implementation of the ,state environmental literacy plan4 7b7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application under this subsection shall-- 7,a7 include the ,state's environmental literacy plan and information on the status of implementation of such plan2 7,b7 describe how funds received under this section will assist the ,state in furthering the implementation of the ,state's environmental literacy plan2 7,c7 describe the process the ,state will use to make subgrants to eligible partnerships2 and 7,d7 describe the process the ,state will use to evaluate the impact of the activities assisted under this section4 7c7 ,peer review ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 establish a peer review process to assist in the review of grant applications under this section2 7#b7 appoint individuals to the peer review process who-- 7,a7 are representative of parents1 teachers1 ,state educational agencies1 ,state environmental agencies1 ,state natural resource agencies1 local educational agencies1 and nongovernmental organizations2 and 7,b7 are familiar with national environmental issues and the health and educational needs of students2 and 7#c7 include1 in the peer review process1 appropriate representatives from the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,department of the ,interior1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and other appropriate ,federal agencies1 to provide environmental expertise and background for evaluation of the ,state environmental literacy plan4 7d7 ,administrative expenses ,a ,state receiving a grant under this section may use not more than #b4e percent of the grant funds for administrative expenses4 7e7 ,state educational agency report 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall prepare and submit an annual report to the ,secretary containing information about-- 7,a7 the implementation of the environmental literacy plan2 and 7,b7 the grant activities supported under this section4 7#b7 ,report requirements ,the report required by this section shall be-- 7,a7 in the form specified by the ,secretary2 7,b7 based on the ,state's ongoing evaluation activities2 and 7,c7 made readily available to the public4 7f7 ,subgrants authorized 7#a7 ,subgrants to eligible partnerships ,from amounts made available to a ,state educational agency under subsection 7a71 the ,state educational agency shall award subgrants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible partnerships serving the ,state1 to enable the eligible partnerships to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection 7h74 7#b7 ,duration ,the ,state educational agency shall award each subgrant under this section for a period of not more than #c years4 7#c7 ,priority ,in making subgrants under this section1 a ,state shall give priority to eligible partnerships that include a high-need local educational agency4 7#d7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds provided to an eligible partnership under this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this section4 7g7 ,application requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible partnership desiring a subgrant under this section shall submit an application to the ,state educational agency1 at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,state educational agency may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of teacher professional development needs with respect to the teaching and learning of environmental content2 7,b7 a description of how the eligible partnership will utilize school facilities and grounds as tools for teaching and learning of environmental content2 7,c7 an explanation of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership are expected to improve student academic achievement and strengthen the quality of environmental instruction2 7,d7 a description of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership-- 7i7 will be aligned with challenging ,state academic content standards and student academic achievement standards under section #aaaa7;b77#a7 in environmental education1 to the extent such standards exist1 and with the ,state's environmental literacy plan2 and 7ii7 will advance the teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural1 social1 and economic systems1 and that include strong field components in which students have the opportunity to directly experience nature through outdoor environmental learning2 7,e7 a description of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership will ensure that teachers are trained in the use of field-based or service learning to enable the teachers-- 7i7 to use the local environment and community as a resource2 and 7ii7 to improve student understanding of the environment and increase academic achievement2 7,f7 a description of-- 7i7 how the eligible partnership will carry out the authorized activities described in subsection 7h72 and 7ii7 the eligible partnership's evaluation and accountability plan described in subsection 7i72 and 7,g7 a description of how the eligible partnership will continue the activities funded under this section after the grant period has expired4 7h7 ,authorized activities ,an eligible partnership shall use the subgrant funds provided under this section for #a or more of the following activities related to elementary schools or secondary schools3 7#a7 ,providing targeted1 job-embedded professional development opportunities for teachers that improve the teachers' environmental content knowledge and pedagogical skills in teaching about the environment1 including in the use of-- 7,a7 interdisciplinary1 research-based1 and field-based learning2 and 7,b7 technology in the classroom4 7#b7 ,establishing and operating environmental education summer workshops or institutes1 including follow-up professional development for elementary and secondary school teachers1 and preschool teachers1 as appropriate1 to improve pedagogical skills and content knowledge for the teaching of environmental education4 7#c7 ,developing or redesigning more rigorous environmental education curricula that-- 7,a7 are aligned with challenging ,state academic content standards in environmental education1 to the extent such standards exist1 and with the ,state environmental literacy plan2 and 7,b7 advance the teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural1 social1 and economic systems and that include strong field components4 7#d7 ,designing programs to prepare teachers at a school to provide mentoring and professional development to other teachers at such school to improve teacher environmental education content knowledge and pedagogical skills4 7#e7 ,establishing and operating programs to bring teachers and students into contact with working professionals in environmental fields to deepen such teachers' knowledge of environmental content and research practices4 7#f7 ,creating initiatives that seek to incorporate environmental education within teacher training programs or accreditation standards1 consistent with the ,state environmental literacy plan4 7#g7 ,promoting the integration of outdoor environmental education lessons into the regular school curriculum and schedule in order to further the knowledge and professional development of teachers and help students directly experience nature4 7#h7 ,creating or improving outdoor learning spaces on school grounds4 7i7 ,evaluation and accountability plan 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this section shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities assisted under this section that includes rigorous objectives that measure the impact of such activities4 7#b7 ,contents ,the plan developed under paragraph 7#a7 shall include measurable objectives to increase the number of teachers who participate in environmental education content-based professional development activities4 7j7 ,report by eligible partnerships ,each eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this section shall report annually1 for each year of the subgrant1 to the ,state educational agency regarding the eligible partnership's progress in meeting the objectives described in the accountability plan of the eligible partnership under subsection 7i74 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year #bjbd and each of the #d succeeding fiscal years4 #dgjc4 ,outdoor school education pilot program 7a7 ,grants authorized ,from funds appropriated to carry out this section1 the ,secretary shall make grants to eligible partnerships to establish or expand outdoor school education programs4 7b7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible partnership that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application under this subsection shall describe the outdoor school education program to be carried out and how such program will-- 7,a7 improve student academic achievement as defined in the ,state plan under section #aaaa7;c72 7,b7 promote the development of leadership skills2 7,c7 increase student engagement in education2 7,d7 improve critical thinking skills2 7,e7 provide opportunities for civic engagement and service learning2 7,f7 address inequities of outdoor educational opportunities for underserved children in the ,state2 and 7,g7 improve student access to1 and success in1 well-rounded educational experiences4 7c7 ,priority ,the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants that propose to serve high-need schools4 7d7 ,geographic diversity ,in making awards under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that grants are awarded to eligible partnerships serving urban1 rural1 and suburban local educational agencies4 7e7 ,required uses of funds ,eligible partnerships awarded grants under this section shall use such funds for outdoor school education programs that-- 7#a7 provide a residential1 hands-on educational experience1 or an equivalent combination of classroom-based and outdoor educational experience1 that reflects local community needs and contexts1 featuring field study opportunities for students1 which may include learning about-- 7,a7 soil1 water1 plants1 and animals2 7,b7 the role of natural resources industries1 including timber1 agriculture1 fisheries1 and others1 in the economy of the ,state2 7,c7 the interrelationship of nature1 natural resources1 economic development1 and career opportunities in the ,state2 and 7,d7 the importance of the ,state's environmental and natural resources2 7#b7 are integrated with local school curricula in a manner that assists students in meeting ,state standards related to science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics1 and international standards related to science2 7#c7 provide students with opportunities to develop leadership1 critical thinking1 and decisionmaking skills2 7#d7 provide students with opportunities to learn about the interdependence of urban and rural areas2 and 7#e7 provide professional development for educators to effectively implement outdoor school education programs4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year #bjbd and each of the #d succeeding fiscal years4 #dgjd4 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,no ,child ,left ,inside ,act of #bjbc and every #b years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress that-- 7#a7 describes the programs assisted under this part2 7#b7 documents the success of such programs in improving national and ,state environmental education capacity2 and 7#c7 makes such recommendations as the ,secretary determines appropriate for the continuation and improvement of the programs assisted under this part4 4 #d4 ,conforming amendment ,the table of contents in section #b is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #dfdd the following3 ,,part ,g--,environmental literacy ,sec4 #dgja4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #dgjb4 ,grants for implementation of environmental literacy plans4 ,sec4 #dgjc4 ,outdoor school education pilot program4 ,sec4 #dgjd4 ,report to ,congress4 4 #e4 ,availability of other environmental literacy information 7a7 ,other ,federal agency environmental literacy assistance programs ,the ,secretary of ,education shall request that all ,federal agencies provide information on any environmental literacy assistance program operated1 sponsored1 or supported by such ,federal agency1 including information about the application procedures1 financial terms and conditions1 and other relevant information for each program1 and each ,federal agency shall promptly respond to surveys or other requests from the ,secretary of ,education for the information described in this subsection4 7b7 ,public information ,the ,secretary of ,education shall ensure that not later than #ij days after the ,secretary of ,education receives the information required under subsection 7a71 the eligibility requirements1 application procedures1 financial terms and conditions1 and other relevant information for each environmental literacy assistance program offered by another ,federal agency are searchable and accessible through the ,department of ,education's website and cross-referenced with the ,united ,states ,green ,ribbon ,school application information1 in a manner that is simple and understandable for local educational agencies and communities4 #f4 ,federal interagency coordination on environmental literacy 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,education shall coordinate environmental literacy activities between the ,department of ,education1 the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,department of the ,interior1 and the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,institute of ,museum and ,library ,services1 and the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 including by carrying out the activities described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,coordination activities ,in coordinating environmental literacy activities1 the ,secretary of ,education shall-- 7#a7 assess ,federal environmental education programs1 goals1 and budget items across agencies2 7#b7 assess environment-based science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics achievement to demonstrate that learning about and in the environment is an effective strategy for increasing engagement in learning and academic achievement in science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics subject areas2 and 7#c7 produce adaptable environmental literacy plan guidelines and identify coordinated resources across ,federal agencies that ,states and local educational agencies can follow as ,states and local educational agencies work to develop environmental literacy plans and programs of their own4 7c7 ,advisory panel ,the ,secretary of ,education shall appoint an advisory panel of stakeholders1 including representatives from ,state educational agencies1 local educational agencies1 businesses1 and nonprofit organizations that are engaged in local environmental literacy efforts representing the geographic1 economic1 and cultural diversity of the ,united ,states1 who shall meet quarterly to advise and support interagency planning and assessment regarding environmental literacy activities4 7d7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 and the ,secretary of ,commerce shall prepare and submit a joint report to ,congress containing information about the coordination of environmental literacy activities between ,federal agencies4