WASHINGTON–Amidst initiatives to teach healthy exercise and eating habits in schools, is the No Child Left Inside Act, which plans to bring more time in the great outdoors into the school day. But unlike the No Child Left Behind Act, the No Child Left Inside Act varies widely by state. In the District, plans are underway to get students out of their urban setting and back in touch with the natural environment. But so far, no funding has been secured to make environmental literacy a part of the curriculum. Next year, the District Department of the Environment will begin meeting with educators and city council members to present a plan they hope will develop eco-friendly students without burdening teachers and taxpayers.
Plans for DC’s Environmental Literacy Program (Julia Edwards/MNS)