Rethinking No Child Left Behind: Let’s put environmental education back in the classroom

Children & Nature NetworkBy Jim Elder

Director of the Campaign for Environmental Literacy

Despite the evidence that we need schools that will help re-connect our children with nature, environmental education in our nation’s schools is declining for the first time after three decades of steady growth.

The problem is that teachers, principals and administrators are now de-emphasizing any subjects that are not covered by the tests required by the 2001 federal law called No Child Left Behind (NCLB). NCLB’s emphasis on high-stakes testing in reading and math has compelled teachers to reduce or eliminate time spent on effective, high-quality environmental education programs and related instruction -- and thus it is exacerbating nature-deficit disorder. For example, a recent study found that children can identify over 1,000 corporate logos but fewer than 10 plants and animals native to their back yards. Field trips are also being drastically cut back. Even recess has been reduced or eliminated in 40 percent of our nation’s schools.

NCLB is taking us in the wrong direction.

Instead of shortchanging environmental and outdoor education, we should be embracing it in all of our schools. Connecting our children to nature is just one benefit of environmental education among many:

Environmental education prepares our children to become responsible stewards who will value and protect America’s resources and landscapes.

Including environmental education in the curriculum has a profound impact by increasing student engagement and achievement in science, reading, math, and social studies. How? Environmental education provides a rare opportunity for students to fully appreciate the real-world impact of what they are studying. And students get turned on by that opportunity.

Business leaders across the country recognize the increasing importance of environmental literacy to profitability and long-term success. As recently noted by the CEO of Dupont, a 21st century workforce needs the knowledge and skill to understand and address complex environmental issues.

No Child Left Behind needs to be changed. It should provide teachers and school systems with greater authority, flexibility, and incentive to incorporate environmental education into core subjects, and it should increase funding for environmental education.

What can you do? Think local, state, and national:

Get a group of like-minded parents together and go talk to your local school principal about your concerns. The principal won’t change the curriculum on the spot, but you might be surprised by how effective gentle but concerted pressure from parents can be.

Work with other members of C&NN in your state to get your state Department of Education to support more environmental education in schools.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) are likely to introduce bills in Congress soon to change NCLB and help environmental education regain its foothold in the classroom.

Write to your members of Congress to tell them how important you feel the changes are that these leaders are promoting. You can do this easily by visiting the Campaign for Environmental Literacy’s Web site, www.FundEE.org, and clicking on “NCLB” at the top of the home page. You’ll find everything you need to easily send a quick e-mail to your lawmaker, as well as more information on this vital issue.

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