HB 2026 - DIGEST

     Declares that recent studies have shown that integrated, multidisciplinary environmental education programs provide the following benefits:  (1) Better performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies;

     (2) Increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning;

     (3) Reduced discipline and classroom management problems; and

     (4) Greater pride and ownership in accomplishments.

     Declares that the purpose of the environmental education partnership trust fund is to further the development of environmental education in the state by:  (1) Raising money from public and private sources to fund environmental education initiatives and programs throughout the state; and

     (2) Disbursing the money to programs through a competitive grant-making process with oversight from a board of trustees managed in the office of the superintendent of public instruction.