[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10817-S10821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED:
  S. 1981. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the No Child Left 
Inside Act of 2007, which will provide new support for environmental 
education in our Nation's classrooms. Given the major environmental 
challenges we face today, teaching our young people about their natural 
world should be a priority, and this legislation is an important first 
step.
  For more than three decades, environmental education has been a 
growing part of effective instruction in America's schools. Responding 
to the need to improve student achievement and prepare students for the 
21st century economy, many schools throughout the Nation now offer some 
form of environmental education. Mr. President, 30 million students and 
1.2 million teachers annually are involved in these programs.
  Yet, environmental education is facing a significant challenge. Many 
schools are being forced to scale back or eliminate environmental 
programs. Fewer and fewer students are able to take part in related 
classroom instruction and field investigations, however effective or 
popular. State and local administrators, teachers, and environmental 
educators point to two factors behind this recent and disturbing shift: 
the unintended consequences of the No Child Left Behind Act and a lack 
of funding for these critical programs.
  The legislation that I am introducing today would address these two 
causes. It would provide funding to States to train their teachers in 
the field of environmental education, and it would provide support for 
outdoor environmental education programs for children and a model 
environmental education curriculum. The bill would also create 
incentives, through new funding, for states to develop environmental 
literacy plans to make sure students have a solid understanding of our 
planet and its precious natural resources. Finally, the legislation 
would reestablish the Office of Environmental Education within the U.S. 
Department of Education to oversee critical environmental education 
activities. This legislation has broad support among national and state 
environmental groups and educational groups.
  The American public recognizes that the environment is already one of 
the dominant issues of the 21st century. In 2003, a National Science 
Foundation panel noted that ``in the coming decades, the public will 
more frequently be called upon to understand complex environmental 
issues, assess risk, evaluate proposed environmental plans and 
understand how individual decisions affect the environment at local and 
global scales. Creating a scientifically informed citizenry requires a 
concerted, systemic approach to environmental education ...'' In the 
private sector, business leaders also increasingly believe that an 
environmentally literate workforce is critical to their long-term 
success. They recognize that better, more efficient environmental 
practices improve the bottom line and help position their companies for 
the future.
  Climate change, conservation of precious natural resources, 
maintaining clean air and water, and other environmental challenges are 
pressing and complex issues that influence human health, economic 
development and national security. Finding widespread agreement about 
the specific steps we need to take to solve these problems is 
difficult. Environmental education will help ensure that our Nation's 
children have the knowledge and skills necessary to address these 
critical issues. In short, the environment should be an important part 
of the curriculum in our schools.
  I know my constituents in Rhode Island, as well as the residents of 
other States, want their children to be environmentally literate and 
have a connection with the natural world. I am proud to sponsor this 
important legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
enact the No Child Left Inside Act of 2007. I ask unanimous consent 
that the text of the bill and a letter of support be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1981

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``No Child 
     Left Inside Act of 2007''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--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.

[[Page S10818]]

    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.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       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.).

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization.--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) Distribution.--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.

                 TITLE I--ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY PLANS

     SEC. 101. DEVELOPMENT, APPROVAL, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE 
                   ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY PLANS.

       Part D of title V (20 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

               ``Subpart 22--Environmental Literacy Plans

     ``SEC. 5621. ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY PLAN REQUIREMENTS.

       ``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.

     ``SEC. 5622. STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY PLANS.

       ``(a) Submission of Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--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--
       ``(A) 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
       ``(B) begin the implementation of such plan in the State.
       ``(2) Existing plans.--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.
       ``(b) Plan Objectives.--A State environmental literacy plan 
     shall meet the following objectives:
       ``(1) Prepare students to understand, analyze, and address 
     the major environmental challenges facing the United States.
       ``(2) Provide field experiences as part of the regular 
     school curriculum and create programs that contribute to 
     healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound 
     nutrition.
       ``(3) 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.
       ``(c) Contents of Plan.--A State environmental literacy 
     plan shall include each of the following:
       ``(1) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will measure the environmental literacy of students, 
     including--
       ``(A) relevant State academic content standards and content 
     areas regarding environmental education, and courses or 
     subjects where environmental education instruction will take 
     place; and
       ``(B) a description of the relationship of the plan to the 
     secondary school graduation requirements of the State.
       ``(2) A description of programs for professional 
     development for teachers to improve the teachers'--
       ``(A) environmental content knowledge;
       ``(B) skill in teaching about environmental issues; and
       ``(C) field-based pedagogical skills.
       ``(3) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will implement the plan, including securing funding and other 
     necessary support.
       ``(d) Plan Update.--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.
       ``(e) Peer Review and Secretarial Approval.--The Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(1) establish a peer review process to assist in the 
     review of State environmental literacy plans;
       ``(2) appoint individuals to the peer review process who--
       ``(A) are representative of parents, teachers, State 
     educational agencies, State environmental agencies, State 
     natural resource agencies, local educational agencies, and 
     non-governmental organizations; and
       ``(B) are familiar with national environmental issues and 
     the health and educational needs of students;
       ``(3) 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;
       ``(4) 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;
       ``(5) not decline to approve a State environmental literacy 
     plan before--
       ``(A) offering the State an opportunity to revise the State 
     environmental literacy plan;
       ``(B) providing technical assistance in order to assist the 
     State to meet the requirements of this section; and
       ``(C) providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing; 
     and
       ``(6) 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--
       ``(A) 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
       ``(B) use specific academic assessment instruments or 
     items.
       ``(f) State Revisions.--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.
       ``(g) Grants for Implementation.--
       ``(1) Program authorized.--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.
       ``(2) Regulations.--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.
       ``(3) Administrative expenses.--A State receiving a grant 
     under this subsection may use not more than 2.5 percent of 
     the grant funds for administrative expenses.
       ``(h) Reporting.--
       ``(1) In general.--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.
       ``(2) Report requirements.--The report required by this 
     subsection shall be--
       ``(A) in the form specified by the Secretary;
       ``(B) based on the State's ongoing evaluation activities; 
     and
       ``(C) made readily available to the public.''.

    TITLE II--ESTABLISHMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL 
                       DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAMS

     SEC. 201. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

       Title II (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

   ``PART E--ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT 
                                PROGRAM

     ``SEC. 2501. PURPOSE.

       ``The purpose of this part is to ensure the academic 
     achievement of students in environmental literacy through the 
     professional development of teachers and educators.

     ``SEC. 2502. GRANTS FOR ENHANCING EDUCATION THROUGH 
                   ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

       ``(a) Definition of Eligible Partnership.--In this section, 
     the term `eligible partnership' means a partnership that--
       ``(1) shall include a local educational agency; and
       ``(2) may include--
       ``(A) the teacher training department of an institution of 
     higher education;

[[Page S10819]]

       ``(B) the environmental department of an institution of 
     higher education;
       ``(C) another local educational agency, a public charter 
     school, a public elementary school or secondary school, or a 
     consortium of such schools;
       ``(D) a State environmental or natural resource management 
     agency or a local environmental or natural resource 
     management agency; or
       ``(E) a nonprofit or for-profit organization of 
     demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of 
     environmental education teachers.
       ``(b) Grants Authorized.--
       ``(1) Program authorized.--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).
       ``(2) Regulations.--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.
       ``(3) Administrative expenses.--A State receiving a grant 
     under this subsection may use not more than 2.5 percent of 
     the grant funds for administrative expenses.
       ``(c) Subgrants Authorized.--
       ``(1) Subgrants to eligible partnerships.--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.
       ``(2) Duration.--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.
       ``(3) Supplement, not supplant.--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.
       ``(d) Application Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--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.
       ``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
     (1) shall include--
       ``(A) the results of a comprehensive assessment of the 
     teacher quality and professional development needs, with 
     respect to the teaching and learning of environmental 
     content;
       ``(B) a description of how the activities to be carried out 
     by the eligible partnership--
       ``(i) where applicable, will be aligned with challenging 
     State academic content standards and student academic 
     achievement standards in environmental education; and
       ``(ii) 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;
       ``(C) 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;
       ``(D) 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--
       ``(i) to use the local environment and community as a 
     resource; and
       ``(ii) to enhance student understanding of the environment 
     and academic achievement;
       ``(E) a description of--
       ``(i) how the eligible partnership will carry out the 
     authorized activities described in subsection (d); and
       ``(ii) the eligible partnership's evaluation and 
     accountability plan described in subsection (e); and
       ``(F) a description of how the eligible partnership will 
     continue the activities funded under this part after the 
     grant period has expired.
       ``(e) Authorized Activities.--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:
       ``(1) Improving the environmental content knowledge of 
     teachers.
       ``(2) Improving teachers' skills in teaching about 
     environmental issues.
       ``(3) Improving the field-based pedagogical skill base of 
     all teachers.
       ``(4) Providing professional development for teachers that 
     encourages the utilization of outdoor facilities.
       ``(5) 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.
       ``(6) 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.
       ``(7) Conducting and operating model environmental 
     education programs that utilize outdoor field investigations 
     for students to directly experience nature.
       ``(f) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--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.
       ``(2) Contents.--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.
       ``(g) Report.--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).''.

TITLE III--ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP BUILD NATIONAL 
                                CAPACITY

     SEC. 301. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP BUILD 
                   NATIONAL CAPACITY.

       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:

          ``Subpart 23--Environmental Education Grant Program

     ``SEC. 5631. PURPOSE.

       ``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.

     ``SEC. 5632. GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

       ``(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--The term `eligible 
     entity' 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.
       ``(b) Grants Authorized.--
       ``(1) In general.--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.
       ``(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award each grant under 
     this subpart for a period of not less than 1 year and not 
     more than 3 years.

     ``SEC. 5633. APPLICATIONS.

       ``Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this subpart 
     shall submit to the Secretary an application that contains--
       ``(1) a plan to initiate, expand, or improve environmental 
     education programs in order to make progress toward meeting 
     State standards for environmental learning; and
       ``(2) 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.

     ``SEC. 5634. USE OF FUNDS.

       ``Grant funds made available under this subpart shall be 
     used for 1 or more of the following:
       ``(1) Developing and implementing challenging State 
     environmental education academic content standards, student 
     academic achievement standards, and State curriculum 
     frameworks.
       ``(2) Replicating or disseminating information about proven 
     and tested model environmental education programs that--
       ``(A) use the environment as an integrating theme or 
     content throughout the curriculum; or
       ``(B) 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.
       ``(3) Developing and implementing new policy approaches to 
     advancing environmental education at the State and national 
     level.
       ``(4) Conducting studies of national significance that--
       ``(A) provide a comprehensive, systematic, and formal 
     assessment of the state of environmental education in the 
     United States;
       ``(B) evaluate the effectiveness of teaching environmental 
     education as a separate subject, and as an integrating 
     concept or theme; or
       ``(C) 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.
       ``(5) Executing projects that advance widespread State and 
     local educational agency adoption and use of environmental 
     education content standards.
       ``(6) Planning and initiating new national or State sources 
     of environmental education funding.

     ``SEC. 5635. REPORTS.

       ``(a) Eligible Entity Report.--In order to continue 
     receiving grant funds under this subpart after the first year 
     of a multiyear

[[Page S10820]]

     grant under this subpart, the eligible entity shall submit to 
     the Secretary an annual report that--
       ``(1) describes the activities assisted under this subpart 
     that were conducted during the preceding year;
       ``(2) demonstrates that progress has been made in helping 
     schools to meet State standards for environmental education; 
     and
       ``(3) describes the results of the eligible entity's 
     evaluation and accountability plan.
       ``(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of the No Child Left Inside Act of 2007, 
     the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that--
       ``(1) describes the programs assisted under this subpart;
       ``(2) documents the success of such programs in improving 
     national and State environmental education capacity; and
       ``(3) makes such recommendations as the Secretary 
     determines appropriate for the continuation and improvement 
     of the programs assisted under this subpart.

     ``SEC. 5636. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       ``(a) Federal Share.--The Federal share under this subpart 
     shall not exceed--
       ``(1) 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
       ``(2) 75 percent of such cost for the second and each 
     subsequent such year.
       ``(b) Administrative Expenses.--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.
       ``(c) Availability of Funds.--Amounts made available to the 
     Secretary to carry out this subpart shall remain available 
     until expended.

     ``SEC. 5637. SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.

       ``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.''.

   TITLE IV--ELIGIBILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FIELD-BASED 
     LEARNING ACTIVITIES UNDER EXISTING GRANT AND FUNDING PROGRAMS

     SEC. 401. PROMOTION OF FIELD-BASED LEARNING.

       (a) State Use of Funds.--Section 2113(c) (20 U.S.C. 
     6613(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``field-based learning, 
     service learning, outdoor experiential learning,'' after 
     ``peer networks,''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(19) 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.''.
       (b) Local Use of Funds.--Section 2123(a)(3)(B) (20 U.S.C. 
     6623(a)(3)(B)) is amended--
       (1) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in clause (v), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(vi) provide training on how to integrate field-based 
     learning, service learning, and outdoor experiential learning 
     into the curricula and instruction.''.

     SEC. 402. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AS AN AUTHORIZED PROGRAM IN 
                   THE FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION.

       Section 5411(b) (20 U.S.C. 7243(b)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
       ``(9) 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.''.

                   TITLE V--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS

     SEC. 501. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ORGANIZATION ACT.

       (a) Office of Environmental Education.--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:

     ``SEC. 221. OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

       ``(a) Office of Environmental Education.--There shall be in 
     the Department an Office of Environmental Education (referred 
     to in this section as `the Office').
       ``(b) Director.--
       ``(1) Appointment and reporting.--The Office shall be 
     headed by a Director of Environmental Education (in this 
     section referred to as the `Director'), who shall be 
     appointed by the Secretary.
       ``(2) Duties.--The Director shall--
       ``(A) develop a national plan for kindergarten through 
     grade 12 environmental education and coordinate the resulting 
     implementation process for the plan;
       ``(B) coordinate the development of voluntary national 
     standards and a national model curriculum;
       ``(C) administer the environmental education grant program 
     under subpart 23 of part D of title V of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965;
       ``(D) administer the environmental education professional 
     development grant program under part E of title II of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and
       ``(E) 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.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--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:

``Sec. 221. Office of Environmental Education.''.
                                  ____



                                         No Child Left Inside,

                                                   August 1, 2007.
     Hon. Jack Reed,
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, U.S. 
         Senate,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. 20510-3903
       Dear Senator Reed: As members of the No Child Left Inside 
     Coalition, we are writing to commend you for introducing the 
     No Child Left Inside Act of 2007, and we offer our support 
     for environmental education in the reauthorization of the No 
     Child Left Behind Act. While we applaud the thrust of the No 
     Child Left Behind Act, we believe adjustments are needed to 
     improve environmental consciousness in schools across the 
     country.
       Our coalition comprises over two dozen national and 
     regional education and environmental organizations. Together 
     we represent more than 7 million citizens who are passionate 
     about the inclusion of environmental education in students' 
     learning.
       The country is facing a host of complicated environmental 
     challenges, but we are not providing an adequate 
     environmental education to our young people. Indeed, over the 
     past few years many schools have cut back on instruction 
     related to the environment, canceling field trips and 
     meaningful outdoor explorations. Three decades of growth in 
     environmental education has been hampered by No Child Left 
     Behind, even as the nation's environmental issues have grown 
     increasingly complex.
       We believe it is critical to reverse this trend and provide 
     children with a solid understanding of the planet and the 
     problems it faces. As they will be called upon throughout 
     their lives to sort out various environmental claims and 
     issues impacting their jobs, health, security and 
     transportation, our children need to have the tools to be 
     able to make wise decisions and choices.
       To that end, we support several changes to the No Child 
     Left Behind Act that would emphasize the importance of 
     environmental education:
       New funding should be available to help states develop 
     rigorous environmental education standards and improve 
     teacher training.
       To be eligible for new environmental education funding, 
     states would be required to develop plans to ensure that 
     their students are environmentally literate.
       These changes will provide the incentives and support 
     school systems need to offer more and better environmental 
     instruction. The rewards are likely to be great. We know from 
     past research that students who take part in environmental 
     education programs become more engaged with school and do 
     better on standardized tests.
       Our coalition urges that the reauthorization of the No 
     Child Left Behind Act not only improve educational offerings 
     but provide new support for environmental education.
       Once again, we thank you for your leadership on this 
     important issue.
       If you would like additional information, please contact 
     Don Baugh, representing the No Child Left Inside Coalition.
           Sincerely,
         Pam Gluck, Executive Director, American Trails; Andrew J. 
           Falender, Executive Director, Appalachian Mountain 
           Club; Jen Levy, Executive Director, Association of 
           Nature Center Administrators; Steve Olson, Director of 
           Government Affairs, Association of Zoos and Aquariums; 
           Lori Whalen, Director of Education, Back to Natives 
           Restoration; William C. Baker, President, Chesapeake 
           Bay Foundation; Martin Blank, Staff Director, Coalition 
           for Community Schools; Josetta Hawthorne, Executive 
           Director, Council for Environmental Education; Kathleen 
           Rogers, President, Earth Day Network; Vince Meldrum, 
           President, Earth Force, Inc.; Mark Gold, President, 
           Heal the Bay; Ed Pembleton, Director, Leopold Education 
           Project; Laura A. Johnson, President, Mass Audubon; Tim 
           Merriman, Ph.D., Executive Director, National 
           Association of Interpretation; Judy Braus, Senior Vice 
           President for Education and Centers, National Audubon 
           Society; Joel Packer, Director, Education Policy and 
           Practice, National Education Association; Lori 
           Arguelles, President and CEO, National Marine Sanctuary 
           Foundation; John Thorner, Executive Director, National 
           Recreation and Park Association; Jodi Peterson, 
           Assistant Executive Director, National Science Teachers 
           Association; Nelda Brown, Executive Director, National 
           Service-Learning Partnership; Larry Schweiger, 
           President & CEO, National Wildlife

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           Federation; Brian Day, Executive Director, North 
           American Association for Environmental Education; 
           Howard K. Vincent, President and CEO, Pheasants Forever 
           and Quail Forever; Kathy McGlauflin, Senior Vice 
           President of Education and Director, Project Learning 
           Tree; Shareen Knowlton, President, Rhode Island 
           Environmental Education Association; Jack Mulvena, 
           Executive Director, Rhode Island Zoological Society 
           Roger Williams Park Zoo; David Lewis, Executive 
           Director, Save San Francisco Bay Association (Save The 
           Bay); H. Curtis Spalding, Executive Director, Save The 
           Bay; Anthony D. Cortese, President, Second Nature; 
           Martin LeBlanc, National Youth Education Director, 
           Sierra Club; Lawrence A. Selzer, President & CEO, The 
           Conservation Fund; Bill Mott, Director, The Ocean 
           Project; Maribeth Oakes, Director, The Wilderness 
           Society National Wildlife Refuge Program; John F. 
           Calvelli, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, 
           Wildlife Conservation Society; Steven A. Culbertson, 
           President & CEO, Youth Service America.
                                 ______