I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2547 
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding 
environmental education, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 14, 2011 
Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, Ms. 
BERKLEY, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MORAN, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. HOLT, Mr. 
ISRAEL, Mr. OLVER, Mr. ELLISON, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. COURTNEY, 
Mr. FILNER, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. CAS-
TOR of Florida, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. 
KILDEE, Mr. FARR, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. WELCH, Mr. HINCHEY, Ms. 
HIRONO, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Ms. 
PINGREE of Maine, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. POLIS, Mr. LAN-
GEVIN, Ms. NORTON, Mr. SCHIFF, and Mr. CUMMINGS) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce 
A BILL 
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 2011’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. References. 
Sec. 4. 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 professional development grant programs. 
TITLE III—ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM TO 
HELP BUILD NATIONAL CAPACITY 
Sec. 301. Environmental education grant program to help build national capac-
ity. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Environmental education is essential for— 
(A) enhancing student learning and prob-
lem solving skills, especially in science; 
(B) creating responsible and engaged citi-
zens; and 
(C) producing graduates who are prepared 
to address the challenges, adjustments, and op-
portunities that will be present in the life and 
the workforce of the 21st century due to threats 
to human health, economical development, bio-
logical diversity, and national security arising 
from environmental stresses. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(2) Studies documenting the increasing indica-
tors of nature deficit show that time spent out of the 
classroom for learning during the school day is crit-
ical to the intellectual, emotional, and physical 
health of children and that providing students with 
quality opportunities to directly experience the nat-
ural world can improve students’ overall readiness to 
learn and academic performance, as well as self-es-
teem, personal responsibility, community involve-
ment, personal health (including child obesity 
issues), and understanding of nature. 
(3) Fewer and fewer students are becoming in-
volved 
in 
important 
environmental 
education 
courses, classwork, and field investigations as an un-
intended consequence of the No Child Left Behind 
Act of 2001. 
(4) Hands-on, experience-based environmental 
education as part of the school curriculum connects 
children to the natural world, and research supports 
that time spent outdoors lessens the symptoms of 
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), 
reduces stress and aggression, helps children sleep 
better, and improves physical health. 
(5) Environmental education ‘‘in the field’’ as 
part of the regular school curriculum gets kids out-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
side contributing to healthy lifestyles through out-
door recreation, exercise, play and experience in the 
natural world that is critical to helping prevent obe-
sity and address other related health problems. 
(6) Environmental education for elementary 
and secondary school students is critical as our Na-
tion transitions to a green economy where manufac-
turing workers, as well as architects, engineers, 
planners, scientists, business managers, financial ex-
perts, lawyers, entrepreneurs, political leaders, re-
source managers, and others, must be environ-
mentally literate to succeed in a green economy. 
(7) Environmental education provides critical 
tools for a 21st century workforce by providing stu-
dents with the skills to understand complex environ-
mental issues so they may make informed decisions 
in their own lives and find solutions for real world 
challenges facing us as a nation. Business leaders 
also increasingly believe that an environmentally lit-
erate workforce is critical to their long-term success. 
Environmental education helps prepare students for 
real world challenges. 
SEC. 3. REFERENCES. 
Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
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 Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.). 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out section 5622(g) and part E of title 
II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012 
and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. 
(b) DISTRIBUTION.—With respect to any amount ap-
propriated 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 El-
ementary 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. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
TITLE I—ENVIRONMENTAL 
LITERACY PLANS 
SEC. 101. DEVELOPMENT, APPROVAL, AND IMPLEMENTA-
TION 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 REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
‘‘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 participa-
tion in a partnership with a recipient of grant funds, 
under this subpart or part E of title II, the State edu-
cational 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 2011, a State educational agency subject to 
the requirements of section 5621 shall, in consulta-
tion with State environmental agencies and State 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
natural resource agencies, and with input from the 
public— 
‘‘(A) submit an environmental literacy plan 
for prekindergarten 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 lit-
erate; 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 in cooperation with a 
State environmental or natural resource manage-
ment agency, if such plan complies with this section. 
‘‘(b) PLAN OBJECTIVES.—A State environmental lit-
eracy plan shall meet the following objectives: 
‘‘(1) Prepare students to understand, analyze, 
and address the major environmental challenges fac-
ing the students’ State and 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. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(3) Create opportunities for enhanced and on- 
going professional development for teachers that im-
proves the teachers’— 
‘‘(A) environmental subject matter knowl-
edge; and 
‘‘(B) pedagogical skills in teaching about 
environmental issues, including the use of— 
‘‘(i) interdisciplinary, field-based, and 
research-based learning; and 
‘‘(ii) innovative technology in the 
classroom. 
‘‘(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 environ-
mental education, and courses or subjects where 
environmental education instruction will be in-
tegrated throughout the prekindergarten to 
grade 12 curriculum; and 
‘‘(B) a description of the relationship of 
the plan to the secondary school graduation re-
quirements of the State. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) A description of programs for professional 
development for teachers to improve the teachers’— 
‘‘(A) environmental subject matter knowl-
edge; and 
‘‘(B) pedagogical skills in teaching about 
environmental issues, including the use of— 
‘‘(i) interdisciplinary, field-based, and 
research-based learning; and 
‘‘(ii) innovative technology in the 
classroom. 
‘‘(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 lit-
eracy plan shall be revised or updated by the State edu-
cational 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— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) are representative of parents, teach-
ers, State educational agencies, State environ-
mental agencies, State natural resource agen-
cies, local educational agencies, and nongovern-
mental organizations; and 
‘‘(B) are familiar with national environ-
mental issues and the health and educational 
needs of students; 
‘‘(3) include, in the peer review process, appro-
priate representatives from the Department of Com-
merce, Department of Interior, Department of En-
ergy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and 
other appropriate Federal agencies, to provide envi-
ronmental expertise and background for evaluation 
of the State environmental literacy plan; 
‘‘(4) approve a State environmental literacy 
plan not later than 120 days after the plan’s sub-
mission unless the Secretary determines that the 
State environmental literacy plan does not meet the 
requirements of this section; 
‘‘(5) immediately notify the State if the Sec-
retary determines that the State environmental lit-
eracy plan does not meet the requirements of this 
section, and state the reasons for such determina-
tion; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(6) not decline to approve a State environ-
mental 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 require-
ments of this section; and 
‘‘(C) providing notice and an opportunity 
for a hearing; and 
‘‘(7) 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 ap-
proval 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 stand-
ards under section 1111(b)(1); or 
‘‘(B) use specific academic assessment in-
struments or items. 
‘‘(f) STATE
REVISIONS.—The State educational 
agency shall have the opportunity to revise a State envi-
ronmental literacy plan if such revision is necessary to sat-
isfy the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(g) GRANTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(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 com-
petitive basis, to local educational agencies and eligi-
ble partnerships (as such term is defined in section 
2502) to support the implementation of the State 
environmental literacy plan. 
‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall pro-
mulgate regulations implementing the grant pro-
gram 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 re-
ceiving a grant under this subsection may use not 
more than 2.5 percent of the grant funds for admin-
istrative 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 State edu-
cational agency shall submit to the Secretary a re-
port on the implementation of the State plan. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) REPORT REQUIREMENTS.—The report re-
quired by this subsection shall be— 
‘‘(A) in the form specified by the Sec-
retary; 
‘‘(B) based on the State’s ongoing evalua-
tion activities; and 
‘‘(C) made readily available to the public.’’. 
TITLE II—ESTABLISHMENT OF 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
EDU-
CATION PROFESSIONAL DE-
VELOPMENT 
GRANT 
PRO-
GRAMS 
SEC. 201. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAMS. 
Title II (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘PART E—ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRO-
FESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
GRANT 
PRO-
GRAMS 
‘‘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. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘SEC. 
2502. 
GRANTS 
FOR 
ENHANCING 
EDUCATION 
THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP.—In 
this section, the term ‘eligible partnership’ means a part-
nership that— 
‘‘(1) shall include a local educational agency; 
and 
‘‘(2) may include— 
‘‘(A) the teacher training department of an 
institution of higher education; 
‘‘(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 Federal, State, regional, or local 
environmental or natural resource management 
agency that has demonstrated effectiveness in 
improving the quality of environmental edu-
cation teachers; or 
‘‘(E) a nonprofit organization that has 
demonstrated effectiveness in improving the 
quality of environmental education teachers. 
‘‘(b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(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 
whose State environmental literacy plan has been 
approved under section 5622, to enable the States to 
award subgrants under subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall pro-
mulgate regulations implementing the grant pro-
gram 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 re-
ceiving a grant under this subsection may use not 
more than 2.5 percent of the grant funds for admin-
istrative expenses. 
‘‘(c) SUBGRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) SUBGRANTS
TO
ELIGIBLE
PARTNER-
SHIPS.—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 serving 
the State, to enable the eligible partnerships to carry 
out the authorized activities described in subsection 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(e) consistent with the approved State environmental 
literacy plan. 
‘‘(2) DURATION.—The State educational agency 
shall award each subgrant under this part for a pe-
riod 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 author-
ized 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 in-
formation as the State educational agency may re-
quire. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each application submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) the results of a comprehensive assess-
ment of the teacher quality and professional de-
velopment needs, with respect to the teaching 
and learning of environmental content; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) an explanation of how the activities 
to be carried out by the eligible partnership are 
expected to improve student academic achieve-
ment and strengthen the quality of environ-
mental instruction; 
‘‘(C) a description of how the activities to 
be carried out by the eligible partnership— 
‘‘(i) will be aligned with challenging 
State academic content standards and stu-
dent academic achievement standards in 
environmental education, to the extent 
such standards exist, and with the State’s 
environmental literacy plan under section 
5622; and 
‘‘(ii) will advance the teaching of 
interdisciplinary courses that integrate the 
study of natural, social, and economic sys-
tems and that include strong field compo-
nents in which students have the oppor-
tunity to directly experience nature; 
‘‘(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 or service learning to enable the 
teachers— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) to use the local environment and 
community as a resource; and 
‘‘(ii) 
to 
enhance 
student 
under-
standing of the environment and academic 
achievement; 
‘‘(E) a description of— 
‘‘(i) how the eligible partnership will 
carry out the authorized activities de-
scribed in subsection (e); and 
‘‘(ii) the eligible partnership’s evalua-
tion and accountability plan described in 
subsection (f); and 
‘‘(F) a description of how the eligible part-
nership will continue the activities funded under 
this part after the grant period has expired. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—An eligible partner-
ship shall use the subgrant funds provided under this part 
for 1 or more of the following activities related to elemen-
tary schools or secondary schools: 
‘‘(1) Creating opportunities for enhanced and 
ongoing professional development of teachers that 
improves the environmental subject matter knowl-
edge of such teachers. 
‘‘(2) Creating opportunities for enhanced and 
ongoing professional development of teachers that 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
improves teachers’ pedagogical skills in teaching 
about the environment and environmental issues, in-
cluding in the use of— 
‘‘(A) interdisciplinary, research-based, and 
field-based learning; and 
‘‘(B) innovative technology in the class-
room. 
‘‘(3) Establishing and operating environmental 
education summer workshops or institutes, including 
follow-up training, for elementary and secondary 
school teachers to improve their pedagogical skills 
and subject matter knowledge for the teaching of en-
vironmental education. 
‘‘(4) Developing or redesigning more rigorous 
environmental education curricula that— 
‘‘(A) are aligned with challenging State 
academic content standards in environmental 
education, to the extent such standards exist, 
and with the State environmental literacy plan 
under section 5622; and 
‘‘(B) advance the teaching of interdiscipli-
nary courses that integrate the study of nat-
ural, social, and economic systems and that in-
clude strong field components. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(5) Designing programs to prepare teachers at 
a school to provide mentoring and professional devel-
opment to other teachers at such school to improve 
teacher environmental education subject matter and 
pedagogical skills. 
‘‘(6) Establishing and operating programs to 
bring teachers into contact with working profes-
sionals in environmental fields to expand such teach-
ers’ subject matter knowledge of, and research in, 
environmental issues. 
‘‘(7) Creating initiatives that seek to incor-
porate environmental education within teacher train-
ing programs or accreditation standards consistent 
with the State environmental literacy plan under 
section 5622. 
‘‘(8) Promoting outdoor environmental edu-
cation activities as part of the regular school cur-
riculum and schedule in order to further the knowl-
edge and professional development of teachers and 
help students 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 as-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
sisted under this part that includes rigorous objec-
tives 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, for each 
year of the subgrant, to the State educational agency re-
garding the eligible partnership’s progress in meeting the 
objectives described in the accountability plan of the eligi-
ble partnership under subsection (f).’’. 
TITLE 
III—ENVIRONMENTAL 
EDUCATION 
GRANT 
PRO-
GRAM TO HELP BUILD NA-
TIONAL 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 amend-
ed by section 101) is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘Subpart 23—Environmental Education Grant 
Program 
‘‘SEC. 5631. PURPOSES. 
‘‘The purposes of this subpart are— 
‘‘(1) to prepare children to understand and ad-
dress major environmental challenges facing the 
United States; and 
‘‘(2) to strengthen environmental education as 
an integral part of the elementary school and sec-
ondary school curriculum. 
‘‘SEC. 5632. GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP.—In 
this section, the term ‘eligible partnership’ means a part-
nership that— 
‘‘(1) shall include a local educational agency; 
and 
‘‘(2) may include— 
‘‘(A) the teacher training department of an 
institution of higher education; 
‘‘(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; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) a Federal, State, regional, or local 
environmental or natural resource management 
agency, or park and recreation department, 
that has demonstrated effectiveness, expertise, 
and experience in the development of the insti-
tutional, financial, intellectual, or policy re-
sources needed to help the field of environ-
mental education become more effective and 
widely practiced; and 
‘‘(E) a nonprofit organization that has 
demonstrated effectiveness, expertise, and expe-
rience in the development of the institutional, 
financial, intellectual, or policy resources needed 
to help the field of environmental education be-
come more effective and widely practiced. 
‘‘(b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized 
to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
partnerships to enable the eligible partnerships to 
pay the Federal share of the costs of activities under 
this subpart. 
‘‘(2) DURATION.—Each grant under this sub-
part shall be for a period of not less than 1 year and 
not more than 3 years. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘SEC. 5633. APPLICATIONS. 
‘‘Each eligible partnership desiring a grant under this 
subpart shall submit to the Secretary an application that 
contains— 
‘‘(1) a plan to initiate, expand, or improve envi-
ronmental education programs in order to make 
progress toward meeting— 
‘‘(A) challenging State academic content 
standards and student academic achievement 
standards in environmental education, to the 
extent such standards exist; and 
‘‘(B) academic standards that are aligned 
with the State’s environmental literacy plan 
under section 5622; and 
‘‘(2) an evaluation and accountability plan for 
activities assisted under this subpart that includes 
rigorous objectives that measure the impact of ac-
tivities 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 State cur-
riculum frameworks for environmental education 
that meet— 
‘‘(A) challenging State academic content 
standards and student academic achievement 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
standards for environmental education, to the 
extent such standards exist; and 
‘‘(B) academic standards that are aligned 
with the State’s environmental literacy plan 
under section 5622. 
‘‘(2) Replicating or disseminating information 
about proven and tested model environmental edu-
cation 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 pro-
vides students with opportunities to directly ex-
perience nature in ways designed to improve 
students’ overall academic performance, per-
sonal health (including addressing child obesity 
issues), and understanding of nature. 
‘‘(3) Developing and implementing new ap-
proaches to advancing environmental education and 
the adoption and use of environmental content 
standards at the State and local levels. 
‘‘SEC. 5635. REPORTS. 
‘‘(a) ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP REPORT.—In order to 
continue receiving grant funds under this subpart after 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
the first year of a multiyear grant under this subpart, the 
eligible partnership shall submit to the Secretary an an-
nual 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 the State academic stand-
ards for environmental education described in sec-
tion 5634(1); and 
‘‘(3) describes the results of the eligible part-
nership’s evaluation and accountability plan. 
‘‘(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of the No Child Left Inside 
Act of 2011 and annually thereafter, 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 edu-
cation capacity; and 
‘‘(3) makes such recommendations as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate for the continuation 
and improvement of the programs assisted under 
this subpart. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘SEC. 5636. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
‘‘(a) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of a 
grant under this subpart shall not exceed— 
‘‘(1) 90 percent of the total costs of the activi-
ties assisted under the grant for the first year for 
which the program receives assistance under this 
subpart; and 
‘‘(2) 75 percent of such costs for each of the 
second and third years. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 
7.5 percent of the grant funds made available to an eligible 
partnership 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.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:46 Jul 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2547.IH
H2547
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS