HB538 - ericsundberg/legwiki GitHub Wiki
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| Referred to Committee | Referred to Subcommittee | Subcommittee | Committee | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Referred to Committee | Referred to Subcommittee | Subcommittee | Committee | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| Education | K-12 | Reported to full | |||||||||||||
Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Fund and Program established. Requires the Office of Environmental Education within the Department of Conservation and Recreation (the Department), in conjunction with the Department of Education and any other stakeholder that it deems appropriate, to implement the Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Program and Fund for school districts to develop local student environmental literacy plans and, with consultation from the Department of Education, to maintain a state environmental literacy plan. The bill establishes the Program and Fund, to be administered by the Office, for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to any local school board that seeks assistance to initiate, expand, or improve teacher professional development opportunities or student environmental education programs that align with the content and objectives of the bill.
- Joshua G. Cole (chief patron)
- None
01/09/24 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104804D PDF
- 01/09/24 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104804D
- 01/09/24 House: Referred to Committee on Education
- 01/19/24 House: 01/16/24 Assigned Education sub: K-12 Subcommittee
This bill has a fiscal impact statement available.
This bill has a budget amendment, 359 #20h (Cole).
The language of HB538 can be viewed here.
Thank you Madam Chair,
- This bill establishes the Virginia Environmental Literacy Grant Fund, to be administered by the Office of Environmental Education at the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
- The purpose of the Fund will be for awarding grants on a competitive basis to any public school district that seeks assistance to initiate, expand, or improve their school district environmental literacy plan, that will support teacher professional development opportunities or student environmental education programs that align with the content and objectives outlined in the Virginia Environmental Literacy Plan.
- Leading educators and the Virginia Department of Education recognize that hands-on, inquiry-based learning outside has myriad benefits for environmental education and academic achievement more broadly.
- Unfortunately, many school districts are not connected to the curriculum resources, professional development, or local programs they need in order to offer these types of learning opportunities to all students.
- Many Virginia school districts lack the capacity to create environmental literacy plans. It is not necessarily that they do not want to create the plan or have the knowledge, it is more about the time and staff capacity to organize, get feedback and publish.
- Finding the time and resources to engage the local community in an appropriate capacity is something school districts need support doing. They also need support in making sure teachers and administrators are engaged in the process and have input at all levels.
- Students in urban communities, Southside Virginia districts, and small rural school districts are most likely to be left behind.
- The Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Fund and Program will assist with the development of student environmental literacy planning.
This bill is supported by:
- Blue Sky Fund
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Friends of the Rappahannock
- James River Association
- Wetlands Watch
- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
- Capital Region Land Conservancy
- Lynnhaven River Now
- VAEE
- Virginia Soil & Water Conservation.
HB538 establishes the Virginia Environmental Literacy Grant Fund, to be administered by the Office of Environmental Education at the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The stakeholders have worked with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
The original impact statement should no longer apply to the substituted language we adopted. This was language redrafted with the input of the DCR.
FIS:
This bill creates a new fund in the state treasury called the Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Fund. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR, in consultation with the Department of Education (DOE), is tasked with managing and administering the Fund. To capitalize the Fund, an appropriation is required. The bill does not identify a funding source. The provisions of the bill do not allow DCR or DOE to disburse from the Fund reasonable costs and expenses incurred in administration and management of the Fund. As such, depending on the size and scope of the program, additional resources may be required. Both DCR and DOE anticipate the need of one full-time position each to administer the provisions of the bill and provide oversight of the grant funds. The bill requires that DCR and DOE develop and maintain a state environmental literacy plan, and to ensure that such plan aligns with current statutes and Standards of Learning, expertise is required to collaborate and develop the plan. DCR anticipates a cost of one FTE at $143,000 per year from the general fund, and DOE anticipates the costs of one FTE at $146,362 per year from the general fund.
I hope it be will of this body to report the bill to full committee.
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- Blue Sky Fund
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Friends of the Rappahannock
- James River Association
- Wetlands Watch
- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
- Capital Region Land Conservancy
- Lynnhaven River Now
- VAEE
- Virginia Soil & Water Conservation.
Q: How does the Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Fund and Program aim to ensure that teacher professional development opportunities and student environmental education programs align with the intended content and objectives of the bill?
R: The Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Fund and Program are designed to ensure alignment with the bill's content and objectives through a collaborative approach.
The Office of Environmental Education, in conjunction with the Department of Education and other relevant stakeholders, will play a pivotal role in administering the Fund and Program.
This collaborative effort will help set clear guidelines and standards for teacher professional development opportunities and student environmental education programs to ensure they meet the bill's intended goals.
Q: What measures are in place to prevent potential misuse of the funds allocated to the Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Fund, and how will the state ensure that the grants are awarded on a truly competitive basis?
R: To prevent potential misuse of funds and maintain competitiveness, strict financial oversight will be implemented.
All funds, including appropriations and donations, will be tracked transparently, and interest earned will be reinvested in the Fund. Expenditures will be managed by the State Treasurer, with warrants issued upon request by the Director.
Additionally, the Fund will be subject to regular auditing to ensure its proper use, fostering accountability and transparency.
Q: From a conservative standpoint, how might the implementation of this bill affect the autonomy of local school districts, and what safeguards are in place to prevent potential overreach by state authorities in dictating curriculum content?
R: The bill respects the autonomy of local school districts by providing them with the option to apply for Program grants voluntarily.
School districts are not mandated to participate, and they may choose to develop local student environmental literacy plans that align with their specific needs and priorities.
This approach empowers districts to tailor their environmental education programs while maintaining local control.
Q: How does the Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Program intend to address concerns about political bias or indoctrination within environmental education, and what mechanisms will be established to ensure a balanced and unbiased approach to teaching environmental topics?
R: The Virginia Student Environmental Literacy Plan Grant Program promotes balanced and unbiased environmental education.
The involvement of the Department of Education and stakeholders ensures that content aligns with educational standards and avoids political bias.
The bill encourages a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and emphasizes critical thinking skills, allowing students to analyze and address challenges objectively.
Q: In what ways does the bill encourage collaboration between schools and local communities to promote environmental literacy, and how does it support the development of teachers in delivering effective environmental education programs while addressing potential budgetary concerns from a moderate perspective?
R:The bill encourages collaboration between schools and local communities by allowing school districts to develop their own environmental literacy plans that align with state standards.
This approach fosters community involvement in shaping educational priorities.
Regarding budgetary concerns, the Fund will help support teacher professional development opportunities, ensuring that educators have the necessary tools to deliver effective environmental education programs without placing an undue burden on local budgets.
This balanced approach promotes the bill's goals while being mindful of practical considerations.
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