The Maryland state board of education voted last week to make environmental education part of students’ education, but it stopped short of making it an official graduation requirement. Instead, schools must include such education in prekindergarten through 12th grade classes, and all students must complete a “local action” project to improve the environment, either individually or with their schools. Beginning in 2015, superintendents will have to certify that the regulation’s requirements are met.
A version of this article appeared in the September 29, 2010 edition of Education Week as Maryland Orders Environmental Education