No Child Left Inside

Federal legislation is currently under review to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education (the "No Child Left Inside Act of 2009"). All of Maine's representatives in Washington D.C. (Senators Snowe and Collins and Representatives Michaud and Pingree) co-sponsored the legislation, for which I'd like to thank them.

The legislation (HR 2054 in the House of Representatives and S 866 in the Senate) will require states to create Environmental Literacy Plans for students in pre-K through grade 12, which will:
-Prepare students to understand, analyze, and address the major environmental challenges facing the students' state and the United States;
-Provide field experiences as part of the regular school curriculum and create programs that contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound nutrition; and
-Create opportunities for enhanced and on-going professional development for teachers.

The legislation will also require states to report on the implementation of the state plan every two years, to help ensure that things are going as they should. It also sets aside money for grants to help implement the plans.

I personally feel that this is a great starting point! Nature can teach our kids (and us as well) so many things, from math to biology to problem-solving. Research has also shown that nature makes us nicer and that interaction with nature (in increments as small as a 20-minute walk) can help ward off the symptoms of ADHD. What could be better for our kids?

The text of the legislation can be found at the Library of Congress by searching the bill name, the sponsors, or the bill numbers. Read the bills, contact your representatives, and let's get kids back outside where they belong.