1. Exploring Partnership EDUCATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE

2.  2003 California law  Goal is to teach students about their relationship with the environment  Increase environmental literacy  Prepare students to be informed decision makers What is the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)?

3. California Environmental Protection Agency California Department of Education Senator Fran Pavley Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Cal/EPA Secretary Linda Adams State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss EEI LEADERSHIP/ PARTNERSHIP

4. EEI Field and Pilot Testing Districts

5. California’s Environmental Principles:

6. YEARS OF PROGRESS 2004 Development of Environmental Principles 2005 Standards Alignment & Curriculum Plan 2006-09 EEI Curriculum Development 2007-08 Field/Pilot Testing in Schools 2009 Independent Curriculum Review Jan.-Mar. 2010 State Board of Education Approval TODAY California Classrooms

7. THE EEI CURRICULUM  85 Units  Grades K-12  Academic Standards-Based (Science and History/Social Science)  Environment-Based Education

8. Air Climate change Energy Environmental justice Environmental sustainability Fish and wildlife resources Forestry Integrated pest management Integrated waste management Oceans Pollution prevention Public health and the environment Resource conservation and recycling Toxics and hazardous waste Water ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS

9. What’s unique about the EEI Curriculum?  Approved by the State Board of Education  Replacement strategy – not an extra burden on teachers  Relevant and engaging  Answers the question “why should I care?”

10. “My class loved it. The EEI lessons were the ones they have been most excited about all year!” First Grade Teacher, Lompoc Unified School District “Teachers have so much to teach in a year. The great thing about the EEI materials is that it is not teaching additional information, it is teaching the same material (the standards) through a new perspective, an environmental lens.” Monica Ward, High School Teacher, Riverside Unified School District and Curriculum Commissioner WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EEI CURRICULUM…

11. What teachers are saying about the EEI Curriculum…

12. A Closer Look at a few EEI Curriculum Units www.CaliforniaEEI.org

13. Offers Extensive Background for Teachers

14. Shows Connections to Adopted Materials

15. The EEI Curriculum…Explains the Standards-based Focus

16. Provides Relevant California Examples

17. Introduces Content and Key Vocabulary for Students

18. CURRENT AVAILABILITY OF THE EEI CURRICULUM  EEI units are posted online at www.CaliforniaEEI.org  Designed to be used electronically on multiple pieces of classroom equipment  Cal/EPA is undertaking a major fundraising campaign to help support printing

19. ON THE HORIZON…  Online professional development  Digital “fillable” forms  District Models

20.  Become an early adopter district  Schedule a teacher orientation  Cost Estimates for Printing and Recommendations DISTRICT NEXT STEPS:

21. Education and the Environment Initiative Office of Education and the Environment, Cal/EPA 1001 I Street or PO Box 2815 Sacramento, CA 95812-2815 phone: 916.341.6769 fax: 916.319.7544 www.CaliforniaEEI.org CONTACTS