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CREEC NetworkCalifornia Regional Environmental Education CommunityNews and Updates Support the No Child Left Inside Legislation Summer Congressional Recess: Both chambers of Congress will be in recess until after Labor Day. This break provides a terrific opportunity for you to meet with your Representatives to tell them why you support NCLI. Members of Congress need to hear from YOU, the folks in their home states and districts who support the inclusion of NCLI in the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Here are some things you can do bolster support for NCLI during August.
The U.S. Department of Education is working on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka No Child Left Behind). There are efforts underway to ensure that the bill includes provisions for pre-K through grade 12 environmental and outdoor education as outlined in the No Child Left Inside Act, sponsored by Senator Reed and Congressman Sarbanes. NCLI formed in 2006 and has come along way in just a few years. However, the real work in support of environmental and outdoor education is still ahead. We want to ensure that all of our nation's students graduate from high school as environmentally literate students who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century but it is going to take each and every one of us. Additional information:
 A Blueprint for Reform The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act The United States Department of Education issued A Blueprint for Reform in March 2010. It outlines President Obama's vision for a world-class education. The very exciting news for EE professionals is that Environmental Education has been included in the blueprint. Please refer to pages 25 and 28 to see environmental education listed as a content area necessary in order to provide students with A Complete and Well-Rounded Education. Our collective voice is being heard across the country and I encourage you to continue your support of environmental education for all students. Air: The Search for One Clean Breath Since its premiere in 2008, the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District film, Air - The Search for One Clean Breath has been screened worldwide for hundreds of thousands of viewers. Now you can download here the new Educator’s Guide for middle and high school instructors. It is an innovative way to increase the film’s reach and educate students about this precious natural resource. The Educator’s Guide, and accompanying nine classroom lessons, will enable students to not only see the film, but understand more about air quality by expanding upon the material presented in the film. The project was directed by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District’s public information division. It was coordinated by the CREEC Network and written and field-tested by California teachers. Best Practices in Environmental Education Programs A Self-Reflection Tool for Environmental Education Providers In order to enhance the quality of environmental education (EE) programs, the California Environmental Education Foundation (CEEF) has developed a user-friendly Self-Reflection Tool intended to enhance the use of best practices by formal and nonformal EE providers. The five programmatic Core Practices and the associated outputs necessary to achieve the practices, are primarily derived from the NAAEE Nonformal EE Programs: Guidelines for Excellence (2004). Update: Education and the Environment Initiative The State Board of Education approved the remaining nine EEI units at their March 2010 meeting. Congratulations to the staff at Cal EPA and the California Integrated Waste Management Board and to the many consultants, writers, reviewers, editors, etc. involved in the development of this curriculum for California schools! We look forward to the approval of the remaining units in March. The current versions of the EEI units are available at http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Education/EEI/Curriculum/Default.htm#CurriculumUnits. Read Superintendent Jack O'Connell's press release at http://www.calepa.ca.gov/PressRoom/Releases/2010/Jan06EEI.pdf. As we celebrate EEI's approval today, we also look ahead to the huge task of training California's teachers to use the units in their classrooms. Planning and fund raising efforts for teacher professional development are underway. Stay tuned! Posted 3/23/10 Discuss
The CREEC Network brings together local, state, and federal agencies to support environmental education across California. The CREEC Network is funded by the California Department of Education, Mathematics and Science Leadership Office, Environmental Education Program. Additional grants and partnerships are sought from other state and local agencies to build the capacity of the CREEC Network regionally and statewide. The CREEC Network is directed by Celeste Royer. For a complete listing of CREEC Leadership you can visit the Network Leadership page. CREEC Disclaimer | CREEC Privacy Policy | CREEC Terms and Conditions Engineering for this site provided by The Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Technical questions should be directed to the KCSOS Web Team. Information on low-cost hosting and website design services, featuring Manila, for schools and non-profit organizations is available here.
This page was last updated: Friday, August 20, 2010 at 12:41:59 PM |