Blake School District
Board Policy

  BP 6142.5 
Instruction

 Environmental Education

The Governing Board recognizes that schools play a crucial role in educating students about the importance of the environment and in preparing them to be stewards of natural resources.  The Board believes that students should value the environment, respect all life forms, understand the basic ecological principles which support the planet, and live an ecologically responsible life-style.

(cf. 6000 - Concepts and Roles) 
(cf. 6142.3 - Civic Education)

***Note:  Education Code 51210 requires the adopted course of study for grades 1-6 to include instruction on the relations of persons to their human and natural environment, the wise use of natural resources, and science instruction on the place of humans in the ecological systems.  In grades 7-12, Education Code 51220 requires study of the relations of persons to their human and natural environment and science instruction that emphasizes the place of humans in ecological systems.  See AR 6143 - Courses of Study.***

The Superintendent/Principal/Teacher or designee shall develop an environmental education program that is aligned with state academic standards and curriculum frameworks.  The Superintendent/Principal/Teacher or designee shall determine how the district's environmental education program will be integrated into the district's science curriculum and other subjects and courses in which the concepts may be explicitly and systematically taught.

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards) 
(cf. 6141 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation) 
(cf. 6142.93 - Science Instruction)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)

The goal of the district's environmental education program shall be to provide students with an understanding of the interactions and interdependence of human societies and natural systems, people's dependence and influence on natural systems, the ways that natural systems change and how people can benefit and influence that change, the fact that there are no boundaries to prevent matter from flowing between systems, and the fact that decisions affecting resources and natural systems are complex and involve many factors.

The district's program shall emphasize a coordination of instructional resources with active student participation in onsite resource conservation and management programs and the promotion of service learning partnerships.  

(cf. 1400 - Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools) 
(cf. 3511 - Energy and Water Management)
(cf. 3511.1 - Integrated Waste Management)
(cf. 3514 - Environmental Safety)
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 6142.4 - Service Learning/Community Service Classes) 
(cf. 6153 - School-Sponsored Trips)

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
8700-8707  Environmental education
8720-8723  Conservation education service
8760-8773  Outdoor science, conservation, and forestry
33541 Science requirements
37222  John Muir; recognition of his contributions
51210  Areas of study, grades 1-6
51220  Areas of study, grades 7-12
51795-51797  School instructional gardens
60041  Ecological systems and their protection
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
71300-71305  Statewide environmental education

Management Resources:
WEB SITES
California Environmental Protection Agency, Education and the Environment Initiative: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Education/EEI
California Department of Education, Environmental Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/oeeintrod.asp
California Integrated Waste Management Board, School Waste Management Education and Assistance: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Schools
California Regional Environmental Education Community: http://www.creec.org

(9/90  6/92)  7/07

Adopted:   January 2008