1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the No Child Left Inside Act of
2007
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. References.
Sec. 3. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE I—Environmental literacy plans
Sec. 101. Development, approval, and implementation of State
environmental literacy plans.
TITLE II—Establishment of environmental education professional
development grant programs
Sec. 201. Environmental education.
TITLE III—Environmental education grant program to help build
national capacity
Sec. 301. Environmental education grant program to help build
national capacity.
TITLE IV—Eligibility of environmental education and field-based
learning activities under existing grant and funding programs
Sec. 401. Promotion of field-based learning.
Sec. 402. Environmental education as an authorized program in
the fund for the improvement of education.
TITLE V—Amendments to other laws
Sec. 501. Department of Education Organization Act.
2.Except as otherwise specifically provided,
whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
3.Authorization of
appropriations
(a)There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out section 5622(g) and part E of title II of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each of
the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
(b)With respect to any amount appropriated
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year—
(1)not more than 70 percent of such amount
shall be used to carry out section 5622(g) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 for such fiscal year; and
(2)not less than 30
percent of such amount shall be used to carry out part E of title II of such
Act for such fiscal year.
<enum>I</enum><header>Environmental
literacy plans</header>
<section id="IDa43c1d64453548c9887a1d29a28f60a9"><enum>101.</enum><header>Development,
approval, and implementation of State environmental literacy
plans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Part D of title V (20
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFAF6F1887FF84D3BBF8C75CB24908F7C" style="OLC">
<subpart id="id03906DBA29AE4EF2A5E5B3E95FEE5B1A"><enum>22<?LEXA-Enum 22?></enum><header>Environmental literacy plans</header>
<section id="ID7818cf1204984cb2911f9ede8ad2358b"><enum>5621.</enum><header>Environmental
literacy plan requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In
order for any State educational agency or a local educational agency served by
a State educational agency to receive grant funds, either directly or through
participation in a partnership with a recipient of grant funds, under this
subpart or part E of title II, the State educational agency shall meet the
requirements regarding an environmental literacy plan under section
5622.</text>
</section><section id="ID79944a49061c4168a914e3fd4b9b7d0e"><enum>5622.</enum><header>State
environmental literacy plans</header>
<subsection id="ID9267afc292ba46cea83af0505dcd12d3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Submission of
plan</header>
<paragraph id="ID4bd80eecb8b8447091d9c94c71657ba8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the
No Child Left Inside Act of 2007, a State educational agency subject to the
requirements of section 5621 shall, in consultation with State environmental
agencies, State natural resource agencies, and with input from the
public—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDad88dec084a949b4ae0664858a86ad1e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>submit an
environmental literacy plan for kindergarten through grade 12 to the Secretary
for peer review and approval that will ensure that elementary and secondary
school students in the State are environmentally literate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3db8ced99ae04a5a96589fcc1e56f308"><enum>(B)</enum><text>begin the
implementation of such plan in the State.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDebc8b4f4a13c4227926023463dfd0261"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Existing
plans</header><text>A State may satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1)(A) by
submitting to the Secretary for peer review an existing State plan that has
been developed by or in cooperation with State environmental organizations, if
such plan complies with this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDaec2640c04524dc6b4ffd43c815f3664"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Plan
objectives</header><text>A State environmental literacy plan shall meet the
following objectives:</text>
<paragraph id="IDf0b4d03a2e6940208c65277e5e45f954"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Prepare students
to understand, analyze, and address the major environmental challenges facing
the United States.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID66c8572604f24690879d83d999341ca7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Provide field
experiences as part of the regular school curriculum and create programs that
contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound
nutrition.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf1180d781ec142d4bda537dfdddc30a9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Create
opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers
that improves the teachers' environmental content knowledge, skill in teaching
about environmental issues, and field-based pedagogical skill base.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDcba6328c8bb64047843956aa426f3a6d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contents of
plan</header><text>A State environmental literacy plan shall include each of
the following:</text>
<paragraph id="ID43c0b3370c074e5b83765ec70aecebdb"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A description of
how the State educational agency will measure the environmental literacy of
students, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID44d0c91949c94adbb9f2cffd5cb3fa69"><enum>(A)</enum><text>relevant State
academic content standards and content areas regarding environmental education,
and courses or subjects where environmental education instruction will take
place; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe7ace0106b4a4cbcaa270c98b10c5af6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of
the relationship of the plan to the secondary school graduation requirements of
the State.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID0cb303b365c44ba0b5c2733d05efe11d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A description of
programs for professional development for teachers to improve the
teachers'—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDd9a31c86a7a6407e898dbfb6f5297591"><enum>(A)</enum><text>environmental
content knowledge;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe8064e2211c84be9b43de988406c971f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>skill in teaching
about environmental issues; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID18fb26dad4d64a638bdd7f084c5cefb9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>field-based
pedagogical skills.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDe155d32f172248a28607233fff380b91"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A description of
how the State educational agency will implement the plan, including securing
funding and other necessary support.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDa028b831d07047fb9deaee3f1f47a37c"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Plan
update</header><text>The State environmental literacy plan shall be revised or
updated by the State educational agency and submitted to the Secretary not less
often than every 5 years or as appropriate to reflect plan
modifications.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID055957dcb4b54be697fe7b81fe1313eb"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Peer review and
secretarial approval</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="IDb02b5c7552ac4b86962795922499b5e0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>establish a peer
review process to assist in the review of State environmental literacy
plans;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7f350c27d39444f49c9065a5d9c442ab"><enum>(2)</enum><text>appoint
individuals to the peer review process who—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID1a2e777886ea41f9b9689bb4661fcbed"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are
representative of parents, teachers, State educational agencies, State
environmental agencies, State natural resource agencies, local educational
agencies, and non-governmental organizations; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc6315156f99c4051b0518cbe70d5a06e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>are familiar with
national environmental issues and the health and educational needs of
students;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID0a35e5eada3e44cebf1208b6ab2e75a6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>approve a State
environmental literacy plan within 120 days of the plan's submission unless the
Secretary determines that the State environmental literacy plan does not meet
the requirements of this section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc6998863cf9848268c6b6acf16d0fb6e"><enum>(4)</enum><text>immediately
notify the State if the Secretary determines that the State environmental
literacy plan does not meet the requirements of this section, and state the
reasons for such determination;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID963bdfb49c5648f3a8a29acb26d02191"><enum>(5)</enum><text>not decline to
approve a State environmental literacy plan before—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID62c774f03c274e1393162872e0574f3c"><enum>(A)</enum><text>offering the
State an opportunity to revise the State environmental literacy plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDdaafaf1d04e744929ebbf51eabde0994"><enum>(B)</enum><text>providing
technical assistance in order to assist the State to meet the requirements of
this section; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8d388f5ecbf2497cafea3e0f7633d136"><enum>(C)</enum><text>providing notice
and an opportunity for a hearing; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID8900760423d4404dbeaa9f01f35bec0e"><enum>(6)</enum><text>have the
authority to decline to approve a State environmental literacy plan for not
meeting the requirements of this part, but shall not have the authority to
require a State, as a condition of approval of the State environmental literacy
plan, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="id9D61E46F043C4F619DC93C13CB6FDC7E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>include in, or
delete from, such State environmental literacy plan 1 or more specific elements
of the State academic content standards under section 1111(b)(1); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBBC2580F50CB427295410EA562DBA7F4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>use specific
academic assessment instruments or items.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4cf4c329c42746b1b5b226e0daef0708"><enum>(f)</enum><header>State
revisions</header><text>The State educational agency shall have the opportunity
to revise a State environmental literacy plan if such revision is necessary to
satisfy the requirements of this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idC9A8B1EDD8624088A84BAF660D3F38D8"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Grants for
implementation</header>
<paragraph id="idD4C395BFEF0E4CB4A7277A04B5735BD2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Program
authorized</header><text>From amounts appropriated for this subsection, the
Secretary shall award grants, through allotments in accordance with the
regulations described in paragraph (2), to States to enable the States to award
subgrants, on a competitive basis, to local educational agencies and eligible
partnerships (as such term is defined in section 2502) to support the
implementation of the State environmental literacy plan.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id138E8FC8620843C5852027F4328ED8FA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Secretary shall promulgate regulations implementing the grant program under
paragraph (1), which regulations shall include the development of an allotment
formula that best achieves the purposes of this subpart.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD528F93F9D964F34A690EE4486BC3DDD"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Administrative
expenses</header><text>A State receiving a grant under this subsection may use
not more than 2.5 percent of the grant funds for administrative
expenses.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID1463fd58f52c4aba85fed483732acfa5"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Reporting</header>
<paragraph id="ID1b04b7a6d98247c487979b59a6046049"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 2 years after approval of a State
environmental literacy plan, and every 2 years thereafter, the chief executive
officer of the State, in cooperation with the State educational agency, shall
submit to the Secretary a report on the implementation of the State
plan.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID491d8ae637234b179f9181e80cab72ea"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report
requirements</header><text>The report required by this subsection shall
be—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID16df1b076ecd4a5c9aab0576943ba30e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the form
specified by the Secretary;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6faac30a48a541b88d99b91981bbf2c9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>based on the
State’s ongoing evaluation activities; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe78fe558548a4828b4b605a3295399a2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>made readily
available to the
public.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section></subpart><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><enum>II</enum><header>Establishment of
environmental education professional development grant programs</header>
<section id="ID72d1111973c8467a9cc20e6e61d3c418"><enum>201.</enum><header>Environmental
education</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Title II (20 U.S.C.
6601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id696C9D99A9D24CF4A60898DEA052E200" style="OLC">
<part id="idBF1308298DAD4605A3F8BE1F183457B7"><enum>E<?LEXA-Enum E?></enum><header>Environmental education professional development
grant program</header>
<section id="ID5a2abb2777dc4cd99a7ed342edd59342"><enum>2501.</enum><header>Purpose</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purpose of this part is to ensure the
academic achievement of students in environmental literacy through the
professional development of teachers and educators.</text>
</section><section id="IDc4542c04254c4a71913c59010abac485"><enum>2502.</enum><header>Grants for
enhancing education through environmental education</header>
<subsection id="IDf9e853d7991848cabc1f8fd2a8073e5f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of
eligible partnership</header><text>In this section, the term <term>eligible
partnership</term> means a partnership that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID3b59af4ab92d4cda987713ebbc2b9e15"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall include a
local educational agency; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID26b924c3bf9d4f85b16fa42b0c8638a5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may
include—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID8be22ee5c7ea4f409b825992c844cb04"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the teacher
training department of an institution of higher education;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID395707dedb454b64a6c20782620b781d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the environmental
department of an institution of higher education;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0c227219196a4c049be29fdb7b739eca"><enum>(C)</enum><text>another local
educational agency, a public charter school, a public elementary school or
secondary school, or a consortium of such schools;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDcafa4a1d08ab4a1bb37be85ab815c5ad"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a State
environmental or natural resource management agency or a local environmental or
natural resource management agency; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7b9cc3fd5a0d46b298db77fd3fcd3681"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a nonprofit or
for-profit organization of demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality
of environmental education teachers.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD4FBECBA73FF4A499C545F444E8966EE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grants
authorized</header>
<paragraph id="idF552FAE1846247809191A7F01FBD097E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Program
authorized</header><text>From amounts appropriated for this subsection, the
Secretary shall award grants, through allotments in accordance with the
regulations described in paragraph (2), to States to enable the States to award
subgrants under subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id67584CA9BA2B49058D6748568E72F988"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Secretary shall promulgate regulations implementing the grant program under
paragraph (1), which regulations shall include the development of an allotment
formula that best achieves the purposes of this subpart.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD1451433913C4AA1962B96BB79D6EFEB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Administrative
expenses</header><text>A State receiving a grant under this subsection may use
not more than 2.5 percent of the grant funds for administrative
expenses.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDb558766ec2c84cb1ab39ac995c02f8e4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Subgrants
authorized</header>
<paragraph id="IDed7cc64f3c514c81b69ede45446e2679"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Subgrants to
eligible partnerships</header><text>From amounts made available to a State
educational agency under subsection (b)(1), the State educational agency shall
award subgrants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to enable the
eligible partnerships to carry out the authorized activities described in
subsection (d) consistent with the approved State environmental literacy
plan.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2808ab4a11b44609980b596a9f8876e2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
State educational agency shall award each subgrant under this part for a period
of not more than 3 years beginning on the date of approval of the State's
environmental literacy plan under section 5622.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0e5750eefa6f463b8746154861088fcf"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Supplement, not
supplant</header><text>Funds provided to an eligible partnership under this
part shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, funds that would otherwise
be used for activities authorized under this part.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID21d33a93211841099d86f0c36b687a68"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Application
requirements</header>
<paragraph id="ID67622b13014746ff91da21b3052cecc7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each eligible partnership desiring a subgrant under this
part shall submit an application to the State educational agency, at such time,
in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the State educational
agency may require.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9a12e3cd4be04dfaae746cc8bc77235b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each
application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDfad5662319384d228c286141d89abcb6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the results of a
comprehensive assessment of the teacher quality and professional development
needs, with respect to the teaching and learning of environmental
content;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7c1c37d028b64567966cc6ae0c2ff0b0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of
how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership—</text>
<clause id="IDaabfbe02c4be4e38b34f397b2b15be0c"><enum>(i)</enum><text>where applicable,
will be aligned with challenging State academic content standards and student
academic achievement standards in environmental education; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID67d4e5b7b39a4281b257214d20c5ceac"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>will advance the
teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural,
social, and economic systems and that include strong field components in which
students have the opportunity to directly experience nature;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID44cdf14187374d12bca35af2abbe32a0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an explanation of
how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership are expected
to improve student academic achievement and strengthen the quality of
environmental instruction;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDdb31a2aa381d4669bbd6be46c6c06633"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a description of
how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership will ensure
that teachers are trained in the use of field-based and service learning to
enable the teachers—</text>
<clause id="ID1abe3b501e3c4306ac029e925d5e8ded"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to use the local
environment and community as a resource; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID287449195c5b4c44881f54e94c557dd6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to enhance
student understanding of the environment and academic achievement;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID66bcd4c43347450bbafcb168cdeed612"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a description
of—</text>
<clause id="ID69d31d4fcc5f42e7b832846572389553"><enum>(i)</enum><text>how the eligible
partnership will carry out the authorized activities described in subsection
(d); and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDe104e7cfe038452b8947edd94ea7ac44"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the eligible
partnership’s evaluation and accountability plan described in subsection (e);
and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc7999668b4cd4209a45bf69ff3ac95b5"><enum>(F)</enum><text>a description of
how the eligible partnership will continue the activities funded under this
part after the grant period has expired.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID587d13c09fc54d87b3e291dab189a64a"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorized
activities</header><text>An eligible partnership shall use the subgrant funds
provided under this part for 1 or more of the following activities related to
elementary schools or secondary schools:</text>
<paragraph id="ID92b8b889a0cc40198f166300a4873e9f"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Improving the
environmental content knowledge of teachers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3c6cb286b18a4deb89d4f210655b57e9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Improving
teachers' skills in teaching about environmental issues.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa48ee9b4e3d64e51bf1cfc652e01a0dc"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Improving the
field-based pedagogical skill base of all teachers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID363c0c9c7a884d1a88335bffc2f27561"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Providing
professional development for teachers that encourages the utilization of
outdoor facilities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3fbf9f001d2b4311989de0c063d2669e"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Establishing and
operating programs to bring teachers into contact with working professionals in
environmental fields to expand such teachers’ subject matter knowledge of, and
research in, environmental issues.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID174f2d3191664246919e82eaa91f667b"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Creating
initiatives that seek to incorporate environmental education within teacher
training programs or accreditation standards consistent with the State
environmental literacy plan under section 5622.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDe069d238a3a54bb19973da25feb6d4f1"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Conducting and
operating model environmental education programs that utilize outdoor field
investigations for students to directly experience nature.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDad6ccc7b7c9a414c90826156170f2f69"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Evaluation and
accountability plan</header>
<paragraph id="ID585586e23dd74cff9090b7154c6b5561"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this
part shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities
assisted under this part that includes rigorous objectives that measure the
impact of the activities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID81adbcd1329049e78e223133c0a036cb"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
plan developed under paragraph (1) shall include measurable objectives to
increase the number of teachers who participate in environmental education
content-based professional development activities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID66bc0cee320c47508b310a6ea4e35291"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Each
eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this part shall report annually
to the State educational agency regarding the eligible partnership’s progress
in meeting the objectives described in the accountability plan of the eligible
partnership under subsection
(f).</text>
</subsection></section></part><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><enum>III</enum><header>Environmental
education grant program to help build national capacity</header>
<section id="IDa652e3d0782144e088009540803eb368"><enum>301.</enum><header>Environmental
education grant program to help build national capacity</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Part D of title V (20 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.)
(as amended by section 101) is further amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1DED903564E74724BC4CE66C3FB642FC" style="OLC">
<subpart id="id8381174FEA9D47308D216C194FC28930"><enum>23<?LEXA-Enum 23?></enum><header>Environmental education grant program</header>
<section id="ID46ad46fb8b794f97a744c28a3f556cf9"><enum>5631.</enum><header>Purpose</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purpose of this subpart is to prepare
children to understand and address major environmental challenges facing the
United States and strengthen environmental education as an integral part of the
elementary school and secondary school curriculum.</text>
</section><section id="IDe48ba27d3d6e445e8d73c100648ebb17"><enum>5632.</enum><header>Grant program
authorized</header>
<subsection id="IDc151f92f61a64d0ab745482c265b49e5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of
eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> means a
nonprofit organization, State educational agency, local educational agency, or
institution of higher education, that has demonstrated expertise and experience
in the development of the institutional, financial, intellectual, or policy
resources needed to help the field of environmental education become more
effective and widely practiced.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID37effe9cc8fc477899c4b9bcc94efbf6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grants
authorized</header>
<paragraph id="IDc92ca8a67910480bbd89d7fc040e618f"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Director of
Environmental Education, is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis,
to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out the
activities under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID02ede7c8a1f24d4791e0c83349e34067"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
Secretary shall award each grant under this subpart for a period of not less
than 1 year and not more than 3 years.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDbf55a0c215d9467694ccac8a38787878"><enum>5633.</enum><header>Applications</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Each eligible entity desiring a grant under
this subpart shall submit to the Secretary an application that contains—</text>
<paragraph id="ID72eb4408360f45cd836fabf396448cb0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a plan to
initiate, expand, or improve environmental education programs in order to make
progress toward meeting State standards for environmental learning; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID91d46cb2adac4ad4b6aebbf91c78efd4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an evaluation and
accountability plan for activities assisted under this subpart that includes
rigorous objectives that measure the impact of activities funded under this
subpart.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID9973521026154903b8d7cd4be7924f9b"><enum>5634.</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Grant funds made
available under this subpart shall be used for 1 or more of the
following:</text>
<paragraph id="ID88b23d1ac991424cb334f1cf40b2705f"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Developing and
implementing challenging State environmental education academic content
standards, student academic achievement standards, and State curriculum
frameworks.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5ac7ecf54639409aa095e124cde9d647"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Replicating or
disseminating information about proven and tested model environmental education
programs that—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID5dbba2a34f1042cab2f7dd4854df1897"><enum>(A)</enum><text>use the
environment as an integrating theme or content throughout the curriculum;
or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDedb0e6f59fb2471bbbd51d68ad948e74"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide
integrated, interdisciplinary instruction about natural, social, and economic
systems along with field experience that provides students with opportunities
to directly experience nature in ways designed to improve students’ overall
academic performance, personal health (including addressing child obesity
issues), or their understanding of nature.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDda528e2b129e49c7b81e4043583162e8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Developing and
implementing new policy approaches to advancing environmental education at the
State and national level.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc0fb20063cc84b05ada5088e063f99e1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Conducting
studies of national significance that—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID9d97af4d87c34b22af47a05586411bd1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide a
comprehensive, systematic, and formal assessment of the state of environmental
education in the United States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID309ed83eb34646029f2e5bc17338d006"><enum>(B)</enum><text>evaluate the
effectiveness of teaching environmental education as a separate subject, and as
an integrating concept or theme; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDee73b0647360473889c1699aed1cd43e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>evaluate the
effectiveness of using environmental education in helping students improve
their assessment scores in mathematics, reading or language arts, and the other
core academic subjects.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID67e06c765b964419b7e580565cc6d08b"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Executing
projects that advance widespread State and local educational agency adoption
and use of environmental education content standards.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID15f76b49b2704b16ba0295008aa6eddc"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Planning and
initiating new national or State sources of environmental education
funding.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID5dfb2ef8c3ca4a7c9733275f26ae99ad"><enum>5635.</enum><header>Reports</header>
<subsection id="IDd0becc7853434f65b40206db41a52437"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Eligible entity
report</header><text>In order to continue receiving grant funds under this
subpart after the first year of a multiyear grant under this subpart, the
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID75f4b42260524fc488af9ea82819c73d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describes the
activities assisted under this subpart that were conducted during the preceding
year;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID12c6284442eb43a6be8d69dd56175973"><enum>(2)</enum><text>demonstrates that
progress has been made in helping schools to meet State standards for
environmental education; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4b8a9dba29bc413088e0898f784e2717"><enum>(3)</enum><text>describes the
results of the eligible entity’s evaluation and accountability plan.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6c4f421043ff48e1bd7e38edbd4d9c2f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report to
congress</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the
<short-title>No Child Left Inside Act of
2007</short-title>, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress
that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID8fd034f6ecfb4e9ba99d9be6eb196ab0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describes the
programs assisted under this subpart;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDcf27de1ad2284bfd8ff0dff61cbf85eb"><enum>(2)</enum><text>documents the
success of such programs in improving national and State environmental
education capacity; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd6ca7d07aef84d5aa9902237577e47e4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>makes such
recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate for the continuation
and improvement of the programs assisted under this subpart.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID451a4ec99f5145c5b8404b86e436f5e4"><enum>5636.</enum><header>Administrative
provisions</header>
<subsection id="ID7316b7f6d0ed40b4b1f1fdfe0a89a5b2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Federal
share</header><text>The Federal share under this subpart shall not
exceed—</text>
<paragraph id="ID9338d40534c8417ba965fe506f19e8d6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>90 percent of the
total cost of a program assisted under this subpart for the first year for
which the program receives assistance under this subpart; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID32b7aa5d5eaa4658b76c6f1848a91563"><enum>(2)</enum><text>75 percent of
such cost for the second and each subsequent such year.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDb47fdaab25384de4b72476082ee47982"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Administrative
expenses</header><text>Not more than 7.5 percent of the grant funds made
available to a nonprofit organization, State educational agency, local
educational agency, or institution of higher education under this subpart for
any fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6d0b8de6ac3a4f5c97c61b5cd39c3811"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Availability of
funds</header><text>Amounts made available to the Secretary to carry out this
subpart shall remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDf452f66c1c454e1294799daaa01fa45a"><enum>5637.</enum><header>Supplement,
not supplant</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Funds made
available under this subpart shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any
other Federal, State, or local funds available for environmental education
activities.</text>
</section></subpart><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><enum>IV</enum><header>Eligibility of
environmental education and field-based learning activities under existing
grant and funding programs</header>
<section id="ID59d4ca0e493e43c4ade5d23d7e803a75"><enum>401.</enum><header>Promotion of
field-based learning</header>
<subsection id="idC4C8FDFBB51E45E597B4F55948D1A3DB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>State use of
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 2113(c) (20
U.S.C. 6613(c)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idAFD1943CD4234C67A13C0FCEA5C43A3A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (10), by inserting
<quote>field-based learning, service learning, outdoor experiential
learning,</quote> after <quote>peer networks,</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3AC5B141323D49A3AE0EF2A6FB83E9BC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9CB7E968F5B44C89BA9635AFD893AF1F" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id8BA57B569DDF4C9797D531D47EB29B5E"><enum>(19)</enum><text>Encouraging and
supporting the training of teachers and administrators to incorporate
field-based learning, service learning, and outdoor experiential learning into
the curricula and
instruction.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDf83a08d1b5674675a6d712d516649d6e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Local use of
funds</header><text>Section 2123(a)(3)(B) (20 U.S.C. 6623(a)(3)(B)) is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id5DC1C378C0AA4A2490E859938FA59524"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (iv),
by striking <quote>and</quote> after the semicolon;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD01C58F5A130428A87506F1985D5CCCB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (v), by
striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5CE6125A2FC54DE3932260C0A4B20C72"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA1A8193D850B4472B7656874836178F8" style="OLC">
<clause id="id973D5218237043D2B980F8C8E8BE758E"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>provide training
on how to integrate field-based learning, service learning, and outdoor
experiential learning into the curricula and
instruction.</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDac43a5aa08f44102b89b36eee7acc5eb"><enum>402.</enum><header>Environmental
education as an authorized program in the fund for the improvement of
education</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5411(b) (20
U.S.C. 7243(b)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID4fdef187668b4b7cac5bb47e758e3ed5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDecba4e3faf8d4a8398d74baed289843e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after paragraph (8) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEA1ECF28C71A41C0AB7D6C102E4FE7E0" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="ID4cd6a91169224c3e8ba63627ccbd2697"><enum>(9)</enum><text>Activities and
programs that advance environmental education, including interdisciplinary
courses that integrate the study of natural, social, and economic systems and
the use of the environment as an integrating theme for a school curriculum, as
well as field-based learning, service learning, and outdoor experiential
learning.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><enum>V</enum><header>Amendments to
other laws</header>
<section id="ID1ded47e33a004110b4fcae20cc7dcbd3"><enum>501.</enum><header>Department of
Education Organization Act</header>
<subsection id="ID9f0bb88f17c84a33b0f42bb160000300"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Office of
environmental education</header><text>Title II of the Department of Education
Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id813736078DE64668A80B04D8B4B04D93" style="OLC">
<section id="ID234626b4604b4302ba6b830fb339eea2"><enum>221.</enum><header>Office of
Environmental Education</header>
<subsection id="IDd77a94628f454dfb9196544c72f7cb4a"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Office of
environmental education</header><text>There shall be in the Department an
Office of Environmental Education (referred to in this section as <quote>the
Office</quote>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6291c637d1864117aadf8758ec26f27c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Director</header>
<paragraph id="ID537a0e4c640e48bab69005c409e6dad1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment and
reporting</header><text>The Office shall be headed by a Director of
Environmental Education (in this section referred to as the
<quote>Director</quote>), who shall be appointed by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc58ce232b9494e8a9b7ea7d4c987bdf5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The
Director shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDde5fd30223884e45b069421d0840e5b3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>develop a
national plan for kindergarten through grade 12 environmental education and
coordinate the resulting implementation process for the plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc9d7b74e0e4547a49773d98070f43ce2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>coordinate the
development of voluntary national standards and a national model
curriculum;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4e364698465c47758b72c6139d19d6aa"><enum>(C)</enum><text>administer the
environmental education grant program under subpart 23 of part D of title V of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe54ee8cd226d40a58a7f5fda698b2d38"><enum>(D)</enum><text>administer the
environmental education professional development grant program under part E of
title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc7c42786c63b4c10874e4f0d3d5a83af"><enum>(E)</enum><text>work in
partnership with education activities at the Environmental Protection Agency,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of the
Interior, and the National Science Foundation to advance kindergarten through
grade 12 environmental
education.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID3354fa44311547df9967b9129be0c582"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of contents in section 1 of the Department of
Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3401 note) is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 220 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="id26e6cf76-0ccb-42d3-a5c5-281c23757e03" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="ID234626b4604b4302ba6b830fb339eea2" level="section">Sec. 221. Office of Environmental
Education.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section>