Trendsetter.
Trailblazer.
On Top.
Leading the way!
Way to go, o'homeland Maryland! Tuesday, June 21st, on the FIRST day o'summer, 2011, Maryland's State Board of Education became the first state Board of Ed. to vote that all high school graduates need to be "environmentally literate."
So...What exactly does all of this mean?
2. It means students, upon graduation, should be able to (literally) be "litter-ate"...able to "eat litter" in a single bound. Maryland's working to mold a generation of Michael and Rachel Recycles who will know how important human decisions regarding our usage and disposal of waste. This education will need to occur cross-curricularly in all subjects, especially social studies and the sciences, and meet the Board of Ed's standards.
3. It means that the traditional 3 R's of school will double, if not triple. No longer is it just "Reading, wRiting, and 'Rithmatic," but we can add in the environmental mantra of "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle"...as well as the unstated, yet most important, three: "Refuse, Respect, Responsibility." ["Refuse" as in "refuse the plastic (and other over-consumption) waste initially, at the front end."]

5. It pays to have an environmentally-focused governor, like Governor Martin O'Malley. Likewise...having an eco-supportive State Superintendent of Schools (Dr. Nancy Grasmick) helps too.
6. In Governor O'Malley's words:
“This is a defining moment for education in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “By approving this environmental graduation requirement, the Board of Education is ensuring that our young people graduate with a keen understanding of and connection to the natural world. Only through exposure to nature and education about our fragile ecosystem can we create the next generation of stewards. ”7. It means Maryland is paving the way for other states to follow:
“This is a momentous day not only for Maryland but for educators across the country who are watching what Maryland does, and hoping to increase outdoor learning in their states," said Don Baugh, director of the No Child Left Inside Coalition (NCLI). “ Governor O’Malley and Dr. Grasmick deserve our profound gratitude. For years they have put Maryland at the forefront of the environmental education movement.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43508263/ns/business-going_green/). Don't even get me started on the disposable petroleum waste that is plastic!!
9. It means some classroom teachers out there are going to need to step up their own level of education. Fingers are crossed that as a state, we can back the funding necessary for any of this training. Luckily, Green Team Gazette is always a great place to start--and free at that!! ;-)
For more, go to...
Baltimore Sun's "B'More Green Section": http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/green/2011/06/green_literacy_new_graduation.html
Care2's "It’s A First! Maryland Students Must Be ‘Green’ To Graduate:
http://www.care2.com/causes/its-a-first-maryland-students-must-be-green-to-graduate.html
My Green Guide Maryland (where above quotes were from)
http://www.mygreenguidemaryland.com/Blogging-Green-in-Maryland/its-official-maryland-becomes-first-state-to-require-environmental-literacy.html
Michael Recycle images from www.amazon.com .
"Environmental Literacy" pic from http://www.eco-hub.org/proposal/.
Maryland Green School Flag pic from http://www.eaglecoveschool.org/maryland-green-school.
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