Bringing Sharper Focus to Environmental Education at the State Level in the Reauthorization of the National Environmental Education Act.

Overview & Synopsis

The National Environmental Education Act became law on November 16, 1990. The major sections of this law establish a national environmental education office, an environmental education and training program, environmental education grants, environmental internships and fellowships, environmental education awards, and an environmental education advisory council and task force. In 1996, reauthorization of the Act died in committee in the House of Representatives. Proponents of the Act at the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) expect reintroduction in 1997. When reintroduced, the Act is expected to be handled by the House Education and Workforce Committee. Proponents of the Act believe many members of this committee should be better informed about the positive role environmental education plays in improving education in general by promoting active learning. This paper describes accomplishments of the Act in its first 6 years and suggests ways to address deficiencies that provide greater focus for environmental education on the state level. These include: (1) emphasizing the central role of the United States in environmental education rather than the tacit use of United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regional offices; and (2) encouraging state experts to characterize state-specific environmental knowledge levels in on-line digests. (PVD)