Title: An act relating to studying environmental education.

Brief Description: Requiring a study of environmental, natural science, wildlife, forestry, and agriculture education.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Talcott, P. Sullivan, Shabro, Santos, Hunt, Anderson and Kenney.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/06, 79-19.

Committee Activity: Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education: 2/20/06, 2/22/06 [DP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING, K-12 & HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Higher Education; Weinstein, Vice Chair, Early Learning & K-12; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Carrell, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Pflug, Rasmussen, Rockefeller and Shin.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Delvin and Schoesler.

Staff: Ingrid Mungia (786-7423)

Background: The Environmental Education Association of Washington (EEAW) is a statewide non-profit organization of educators that offers training, materials, and advocacy for environmental education. In 2005, the EEAW received a grant from a private foundation to develop a comprehensive environmental education plan for Washington. The EEAW intends that the comprehensive plan incorporate any available research on how environmental education promotes career exploration for students, can be used to meet graduation requirements, or assists underserved youth.

Summary of Bill: The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must conduct an environmental, natural science, wildlife, forestry, and agriculture education study in partnership with public and private entities that promote quality environmental education experiences. The study must provide empirical evidence, exemplary models, and recommendations about career development, service learning, graduation requirements, underserved youth, and professional development for community-based service organizations or state and local agencies. The study provides findings and recommendations useful to the Washington State comprehensive environmental education plan, a public-private endeavor intended to ensure quality outdoor environmental education opportunities for every student, family, and community in Washington.

The OSPI provides an interim update to the Legislature by December 1, 2006, and must complete the study no later than October 1, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: No one.