1. Kentucky’s Environmental Literacy Plan

2. WHAT? Environmental Literacy Environmental Literacy An individual’s understanding, skills and ability to make responsible decisions that consider his or her relationships to natural systems, communities and future generations.

3. The Benefits of Environmental Education Academic Academic Health Health Developmental Developmental Cognitive Cognitive Social Social Emotional Emotional Work Force Development Work Force Development Environment Environment

4. Academic Research across the country shows that when environment-based education is incorporated into schools, student achievement, attendance, behaviors and attitudes improve. Research across the country shows that when environment-based education is incorporated into schools, student achievement, attendance, behaviors and attitudes improve.

5. Legislation Presidents’ proposed FY 2012 Budget Presidents’ proposed FY 2012 Budget Blueprint for Reform – Blueprint for Reform – Well Rounded Education--$246.1 Million (Competitive Grants) Well Rounded Education--$246.1 Million (Competitive Grants) Must have ELP Must have ELP Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization--pending Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization--pending No Child Left Inside Act—will be reintroduced this session No Child Left Inside Act—will be reintroduced this session

6. Elements of Kentucky’s State Environmental Literacy Plan 1. Specific content standards, content areas, and courses or subjects where instruction takes place. 2. A description of how state high school graduation requirements will ensure that graduates are environmentally literate. 3. A description of programs for professional development of teachers to improve their environmental content knowledge, skill in teaching about environmental issues, and field-based pedagogical skills. 4. A description of how the state education agency will measure the environmental literacy of students.

7. Elements of Kentucky’s State Environmental Literacy Plan 5. A description of how the state education agency will implement the plan, including securing funding and other necessary support. 6. A description of how the state education agency will encourage school districts to “green” the buildings and grounds 7. A description of how the state education agency will encourage teachers and administrators to provide significant outdoor experiences for their students

8. We Need Your Input 1. Surveys: http://kaee.org/announcements/Kentucky 2. Suggestion on the 7 Elements: http://kaee.org/announcements/Kentucky 3. Kentucky Alliance for Environmental Literacy http://keec.ky.gov/KELA/ http://keec.ky.gov/KELA/ 4. Environmental Literacy Plan Task Force Co chairs Billy Bennett, william.bennett@eku.edu Billy Bennett, william.bennett@eku.edu Felicia Cummins-Smith, Felicia.Smith@education.ky.gov Felicia Cummins-Smith, Felicia.Smith@education.ky.gov Melinda Wilder, melinda.wilder@eku.edu Melinda Wilder, melinda.wilder@eku.edu