Green Schools Have Come of Age! U.S. Department of Education began ED-GRS recognition award in Fall 2011 and named the first cohort in April The award highlights the innovative best practices of a handful of schools that are: – Reducing environmental impact and costs; – Improving health and wellness; and – Providing effective environmental and sustainabilityeducation.

Put Another Way 1.Schools’ and their occupants’ impact on the environment; 2.Schools’ environmental and behavioral impact on occupants; and 3.How schools teach students about the environment and sustainability to prepare them for citizenship and employment in the 21st century.

A Means To Use Existing Resources to Achieve Current National Goals… Economic health and stability Much needed improvements to school facilities create jobs and save schools money. Prepare students to participate in the green economy Strengthen the nation's energy security Conserve critical natural resources.

…And School and Student goals Student Achievement fostering health, wellness and achievement providing a well-rounded education, increasing STEM skills, content knowledge and engagement ensuring students’ college and career preparedness and civic skills

What ED-Green Ribbon Schools is Not NOT an additional set of priorities for schools. Instead, it connects schools with existing resources and standards that advance current goals. These are high standards that advance current aims to cut costs, provide a well-rounded education, increase STEM skills and engagement, foster health and wellness and ensure students’ preparedness for 21st century economy and citizenship.

Let’s Look at How and Why ED-Green Ribbon Schools Came to Be Public request to EPA, ED and White House Concept launch with heads of EPA, ED and CEQ in April 2011, indicating the pilot year cohort would be named in spring Concept launch Summer 2011 developing award criteria and nomination infrastructure, consulting with associations, states, national and local NGOs, school communities, technical experts, the public, and numerous federal partners.

Campaign Steering Committee Campaign for Environmental Literacy Earth Day Network National Wildlife Federation U.S. Green Building Council Supporting Organizations (National) Alliance for Climate Education Alliance to Save Energy American Architectural Foundation American Federation of Teachers American Montessori Society Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education BlueGreen Alliance Committee on Architecture for Education Council of Educational Facility Planners International Council of Environmental Deans and Directors Earth Force Green Charter Schools Network Green Community Schools Green Fox Schools Green Schools Alliance Green Schools Initiative Green Schools Network Green Schools GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Healthy Schools Campaign Hispanic Access Foundation National Association of Elementary School Principals National Association of Independent Schools National Audubon Society National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities National Council for Science and the Environment National Education Association National Energy Education Development Project National Green Schools Coalition National Green Schools Network National School Boards Association National Science Teachers Association North American Association for Environmental Education Ocean Foundation Project Learning Tree U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development Zerofootprint Challenge for Schools Supporting Organizations (State) Arkansas Environmental Education Association California Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia Environmental Education Association of Alabama Environmental Education Association of New Mexico Environmental Education Association of Oregon Environmental Education Association of Washington Environment Education Connections of South Dakota Environmental Education Council of Ohio Environmental Educators of North Carolina Hawaii Environmental Education Alliance Idaho Environmental Education Association Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education Kansas Green Schools Program Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Kentucky Environmental Education Council Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education Maryland Green Schools Minnesota Association for Environmental Education Missouri Environmental Education Association Nebraska Association for Conservation and Environmental Education New York State Outdoor Education Association Oregon Green Schools Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators Rhode Island Environmental Education Association South Carolina Green Steps Schools Tennessee Environmental Education Association Tennessee Environmental Literacy Working Group Texas Green Ribbon Schools Utah Society for Environmental Education Vermont Sweep: State-Wide Environmental Education Programs Washington Green Schools West Virginia Green Schools West Virginia Environmental Education Association Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools 3

How ED-Green Ribbon Schools Works Recognizes schools that meet a variety of existing standards, implementing or employing numerous complementary policies and resources. A nation-wide recognition award, not a grant. Incents change by communicating high standards and recognizing the most exemplary schools or individuals according to specified criteria. State applications are a learning tool for schools to obtain a baseline assessment in all three Pillars

Green Schools National Conference, Denver, CO, February 28, 2012

34 Authorities Intending to Nominate in Authorities Intending to Nominate in

Selecting ED-Green Ribbon Schools Schools must be nominated by their state education agency and cannot apply directly to ED. Mechanism for private, BIE and DOD schools. State education authorities evaluate schools based on 3 ‘Pillars’ Compliance with federal, state and local civil rights, health, safety and environmental laws. Based on their evaluation, state authorities send nominees to USED.

Communicating Best Practices The Green Strides Webinar Series: Green Ribbon is not a certification or program. It will highlight just a few exemplary schools each year. Through the Strides Series (GSWS) it connects all states, districts and schools with existing resources.Green Strides Webinar Series The blog, newsletter, Facebook and speakers bureau are other opportunities to connect schools with federal resources and expertise.blognewsletterFacebookspeakers bureau

Timeframe for Pilot Summer 2012: States encouraged to indicate their intent to submit nominees to USED. July: ED provides criteria Sept: States begin selection processes December: States select nominees to USED. February 15: States submit nominees to ED for the Green Ribbon Schools recognition award. April 22: USED announces honorees. June 3: USED hosts national recognition award ceremony. (all dates tentative) Timeframe Year

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