Part 4STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Section § 71300

Explanation

The law establishes the Office of Education and the Environment within the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. This office is focused on developing and implementing statewide environmental education for elementary and secondary schools. They collaborate with educational bodies to create a unified strategy that includes hands-on conservation activities, service learning, and impact assessments on student achievement.

The law also calls for a training plan to help teachers integrate environmental concepts into schools. Public meetings may be held for feedback, and coordination with other agencies and groups is necessary. Any educational materials developed must comply with existing educational standards.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(a) For purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(a)(1) “Department” means the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(a)(2) “Office” means the Office of Education and the Environment of the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, as established pursuant to this section.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(a)(3) “Program” means the statewide environmental education program prescribed in this part.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(b) The Office of Education and the Environment previously established in the California Environmental Protection Agency is hereby established in the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. The office shall dedicate its effort to implementing the statewide environmental education program prescribed pursuant to this part, including the integrated waste educational requirements specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (b) of Section 71301. The office, through staffing and resources, shall give a high priority to implementing the statewide environmental education program.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(c) The office, under the direction of the department, in cooperation with the State Department of Education and the State Board of Education, shall develop and implement a unified education strategy on the environment for elementary and secondary schools in the state. The office shall develop a unified education strategy to do all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(c)(1) Coordinate instructional resources and strategies for providing active pupil participation with onsite conservation efforts.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(c)(2) Promote service-learning opportunities between schools and local communities.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(c)(3) Assess the impact to participating pupils of the unified education strategy on pupil achievement and resource conservation.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(d) The State Department of Education and the State Board of Education, in cooperation with the department, shall develop and implement to the extent feasible, a teacher training and implementation plan, to guide the implementation of the unified education strategy, for the education of pupils, faculty, and administrators on the importance of integrating environmental concepts and programs in schools throughout the state. The strategy shall project the phased implementation of elementary, middle, and high school programs.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(e) In implementing this part, the office may hold public meetings to receive and respond to comments from affected state agencies, stakeholders, and the public regarding the development of resources and materials pursuant to this part.
(f)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(f) In implementing this part, the office shall coordinate with other agencies and groups with expertise in education and the environment.
(g)CA Public Resources Code § 71300(g) Any instructional materials developed pursuant to this part shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 60000) of Part 33 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, including, but not limited to, reviews for legal and social compliance before the materials may be used in elementary or secondary public schools.
environmental education Office of Education and the Environment Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery unified education strategy conservation efforts service learning teacher training student achievement environmental concepts public meetings education agencies educational materials compliance State Department of Education school programs
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 36. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)

Section § 71301

Explanation

This section focuses on developing and updating environmental education guidelines for California's elementary and secondary school students. This task involves several state education and environmental agencies. The guidelines cover a wide range of topics, from air quality to water resources, and aim to integrate current scientific understanding into educational standards.

Updates can happen every four years and must include teacher input, public meetings, and align with existing academic standards without causing conflicts. These principles help shape state agency educational programs and materials connected to environmental education.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(a) As part of the unified education strategy specified in subdivision (c) of Section 71300, the office, in cooperation with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Natural Resources Agency, the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education, shall develop environmental principles and concepts for elementary and secondary school pupils.
(b)Copy CA Public Resources Code § 71301(b)
(1)Copy CA Public Resources Code § 71301(b)(1) The environmental principles and concepts may be updated every four years beginning July 1, 2008, by the office, in cooperation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the Natural Resources Agency, pursuant to the process set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(b)(2) When updating or amending the environmental principles and concepts, the office shall ensure that the environmental principles and concepts are based on current scientific and technical knowledge, and shall solicit and coordinate input from the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and other executive branch agencies and departments, nongovernmental science and education consultants and organizations with the relevant scientific and technical knowledge, and currently employed, credentialed, public school classroom teachers with experience in education related to the environment. A majority of the individuals consulted to review proposed updates or amendments to the environmental principles and concepts shall be credentialed, current public school elementary or secondary classroom teachers with experience in education related to the environment.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(b)(3) When updating the environmental principles and concepts, the office shall hold a minimum of two public meetings in order for the public to provide input on the modifications. The public meetings required by this subdivision shall be held pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(c) The environmental principles and concepts shall be aligned to the academic content standards adopted by the State Board of Education in the subjects of English language arts, science, history-social science, health, and, to the extent practicable, mathematics, and shall not conflict with any academic content standards. The environmental principles and concepts shall be used to do all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(c)(1) To direct state agencies that include environmental education components for elementary and secondary education in regulatory decisions or enforcement actions.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(c)(2) To align state agency environmental education programs and materials that are developed for elementary and secondary education.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(c)(3) For provision, by the office, of technical assistance to state agencies involved in the integration of the environmental principles and concepts in programs they operate, and in the integration of the environmental principles and concepts into state curriculum standards, frameworks, and instructional materials pursuant to Section 51227.3 of the Education Code.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d) The environmental principles and concepts shall include, but not be limited to, concepts relating to the following topics:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(1) Air.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(2) Climate change.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(3) Energy.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(4) Environmental justice.
(5)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(5) Environmental sustainability.
(6)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(6) Fish and wildlife resources.
(7)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(7) Forestry.
(8)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(8) Integrated pest management.
(9)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(9) Oceans.
(10)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(10) Pollution prevention.
(11)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(11) Public health and the environment.
(12)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(12) Resource conservation, waste reduction, and recycling.
(13)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(13) Toxics and hazardous waste.
(14)CA Public Resources Code § 71301(d)(14) Water.
environmental education elementary and secondary school scientific knowledge public input academic content standards air quality climate change energy education environmental justice sustainability education public health resource conservation waste reduction pollution prevention water resources
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 374, Sec. 5. (SB 720) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Section § 71302

Explanation

California's Section 71302 mandates the creation of a model environmental curriculum based on education principles for the environment. This curriculum will be developed by the office responsible, in cooperation with key state environmental and educational bodies, and aligned with the state's academic standards in various subjects. Once developed, the curriculum will be reviewed by the Instructional Quality Commission, who will then present their recommendations to top state environmental officials for feedback. Finally, the curriculum, with all comments considered, will be submitted to the State Board of Education for approval.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 71302(a) Using the education principles for the environment required to be developed pursuant to Section 71301, the office, in cooperation with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Natural Resources Agency, the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education, shall develop a model environmental curriculum that incorporates these education principles for the environment. The model curriculum shall be aligned with applicable State Board of Education adopted academic content standards in science, mathematics, English/language arts, and history/social sciences, to the extent that any of those content areas are addressed in the model curriculum.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 71302(b) The model curriculum shall be submitted to the Instructional Quality Commission for review. The commission shall submit its recommendation to the Secretary for Environmental Protection and to the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 71302(b)(1) The Secretary for Environmental Protection and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall review and comment on the model curriculum.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 71302(b)(2) The model curriculum along with the comments by the Secretary for Environmental Protection and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall be submitted to the State Board of Education for its approval.
environmental curriculum education principles for the environment Instructional Quality Commission State Board of Education academic content standards science education mathematics education English/language arts education history/social sciences education Secretary for Environmental Protection Natural Resources Agency curriculum development environmental education model curriculum approval state education policy
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 38. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)

Section § 71303

Explanation

This law section is about incorporating environmental education into school curriculums in California. The State Department of Education, led by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, should add materials on environmental principles to teacher resources if appropriate, or adjust them with help if they're not suitable initially. The department will work with environmental and education bodies to promote a model environmental curriculum for schools, within available funds. They can collaborate with various governmental and non-governmental entities to ensure this is implemented. The curriculum and links to it will be made available online. Moreover, there's support for developing environmental programs and materials for students and incorporating these into after-school and teacher development programs, as funding allows.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(a) As determined appropriate by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Department of Education shall incorporate into publications that provide examples of curriculum resources for teacher use, those materials developed by the office that provide information on the education principles for the environment developed pursuant to Section 71300.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(b) If the Superintendent of Public Instruction determines that materials developed by the office that provide information on the education principles for the environment are not appropriate for inclusion in publications that provide examples of curriculum resources for teacher use, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall collaborate with the office to make the changes necessary to ensure that the materials are included in that information.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(c) Pursuant to Section 71302, the department shall coordinate with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Department of Education, and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to facilitate use of the model environmental curriculum by elementary and secondary schools to the extent that funds are available for this purpose.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(d) The department, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Department of Education, and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency may collaborate with other federal, state, and local entities, and nongovernmental entities including nonprofit organizations, associations, businesses, individuals, and private entities, and may enter into interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, and contracts to ensure implementation of this part.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(e) The department shall make the model curriculum available electronically on the department’s Internet Web site. The State Department of Education shall make readily identifiable on its Internet Web site a link to the department’s Internet Web site containing the curriculum.
(f)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(f) The State Department of Education, to the extent feasible and to the extent that funds are available for this purpose, shall encourage the development and use of instructional materials and active pupil participation in campus and community environmental education programs. To the extent feasible, the environmental education programs should be considered in the development and promotion of after school programs for elementary and secondary school pupils and state and local professional development activities to provide teachers with content background and resources to assist in teaching about the environment.
(g)CA Public Resources Code § 71303(g) The State Department of Education shall explore implementation of this section from its baseline resources dedicated to this purpose and if funding is not available from that source, then funding may be provided to the department, pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature, under Section 71305.
environmental education curriculum resources Superintendent of Public Instruction model environmental curriculum teacher resources State Department of Education environmental principles elementary and secondary schools funding availability collaboration with entities online access to curriculum instructional materials community environmental programs after school programs professional development activities
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 39. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)

Section § 71304

Explanation

This section outlines the responsibilities of an office working with the Secretary for Environmental Protection to manage environmental education for school-age children in California. The office oversees coordination of state agency decisions regarding environmental education. Before making regulatory or enforcement actions that involve environmental education, state boards and departments must consult with this office to ensure consistency in their approaches. Additionally, the office is tasked with collaborating with state agencies to create and share environmental education materials for schools.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 71304(a) The office, in coordination with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, shall be responsible for the statewide coordination of regulatory administrative decisions that require the development or encourage the promotion of environmental education for elementary and secondary school pupils.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 71304(b) All California Environmental Protection Agency or Natural Resources Agency boards, departments, or offices that take regulatory actions or take enforcement actions requiring the development of, or encouraging the promotion of, environmental education for elementary and secondary school pupils shall, prior to adoption or approval of the action, seek comments on the action from the office in order to promote consistency with this part and cross-media coordination.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 71304(c) The office shall coordinate with all state agencies to develop and distribute environmental education materials.
environmental education statewide coordination elementary and secondary school pupils California Environmental Protection Agency Natural Resources Agency regulatory administrative decisions cross-media coordination state agencies enforcement actions educational materials schools promotion consistency environmental protection comments on action
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 40. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)

Section § 71305

Explanation

This section sets up the Environmental Education Account in California's State Treasury. The money in this account can be used by the department in charge, but only if approved by the Legislature, for environmental education initiatives. It outlines that money can come from various sources, including federal, state, and local funds, judgments, settlements, fines, and private contributions. Importantly, private donors cannot dictate how their contributions are used. Also, state agencies that focus on environmental education in schools can contribute to this account. All received funds must be deposited into the account immediately, and it's emphasized that the funds should be used exclusively for the purpose of environmental education, without being redirected elsewhere.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 71305(a) The Environmental Education Account is hereby established within the State Treasury. Moneys in the account may, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be expended by the department for the purposes of this part. The Director of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall administer this part, including, but not limited to, the account.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 71305(b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department may accept and receive federal, state, and local funds and contributions of funds from a public or private organization or individual. The account may also receive proceeds from a judgment, settlement, fine, penalty, or other mechanism, in state or federal court, when the funds are contributed or the judgment specifies that the proceeds are to be used for the purposes of this part. The account may receive those funds, contributions, or proceeds from judgments, that are specifically designated for use for environmental education purposes. Private contributors shall not have the authority to further influence or direct the use of their contributions.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 71305(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that requires the development of, or encourages the promotion of, environmental education for elementary and secondary school pupils, may contribute to the account.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 71305(d) The department shall immediately deposit any funds contributed pursuant to subdivision (b) into the account.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 71305(e) The Legislature finds and declares that the maintenance of the account is of the utmost importance to the state and that it is essential that any moneys in the account be used solely for the purposes authorized in this section and not be used, loaned, or transferred for any other purposes. Further, state agencies that promote environmental education for elementary and secondary school pupils will benefit from the environmental curriculum adopted pursuant to this part and should provide equitable and balanced support for the program.
Environmental Education Account State Treasury Legislature appropriation fund contributions private donor restrictions state agency contributions environmental education elementary and secondary schools fund use restrictions account administration fund deposits judgment proceeds education initiatives public and private funding educational curriculum
(Amended (as added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 718, Sec. 23) by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 41. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)