MD Schools Will Now Require ‘Environmental Literacy’ to Graduate High School
- Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:55am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A state board of education in Maryland has bought into the green agenda. So much so that it just voted to require “environmental literacy” in order to graduate high school.
“This is a defining moment for education in Maryland,” Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said. “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. ”
“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,” Don Baugh, director of the environmental advocacy group No Child Left Inside Coalition (NCLI), which pushed for the vote, said in a release. “Governor O’Malley and Dr. Grasmick deserve our profound gratitude. For years they have put Maryland at the forefront of the environmental education movement.”
The Washington Post reports on what the requirement means: “Under the graduation requirement, public schools will be required to infuse core subjects with lessons on conservation, smart growth and other environmental topics. School systems will be able to shape their programs, but they must align with state standards.”
“With today’s vote school districts must now move beyond standard science courses that provide minimal focus on the environment,” NCLI added in its release. “The Maryland State Department of Education has established two workgroups to begin revising and aligning Maryland environmental literacy standards, and developing guidelines to provide school systems with guidance and support for implementation.”
According to the Post, 48 other states are considering similar requirements.
“The No Child Left Inside Act would increase environmental education opportunities for students across the country,” Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland, author of the bill, said. “Such opportunities are essential to grow the next generation of scientists, promote environmental stewardship, and encourage Americans to live healthier lifestyles.”
As Jonah Goldberg over at NRO points out, Maryland is ranked last in personal freedom.
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Comments (148)
LilyWhite
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:39amMy family has lived in Maryland since Colonial times. I left when it became the People’s Republic of Maryland.
Report Post »boca_chica
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:32amDepends on who is teaching the class.
Report Post »number9
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:29amThey are calling for a EDUCATION REVOLUTION re: global warming climate change -see WorldFuture 2011 link at the end
http://www.evolve.org
Barbara Marx Hubbard
She is the author of six books communicating the new world view of conscious evolution
A citizen diplomat in the former Soviet Union during the 1980’s she co-chaired a number of Soviet-American Citizen Summits, introducing a new form of conferencing called SYNCON to foster synergistic convergence. This model brings opposing groups and functions together to seek common goals and match needs and resources including the growing edge of human capacities, spiritual, social and scientific/technological of the whole system.
Evolutionary EnvironmentAl Gore
Register for WorldFuture 2011 http://www.wfs.org/content/reg... conference have included future U.S. President Gerald Ford, Tennessee’s then-senator and future U.S. Vice President Al Gore Jr., scientist and inventor Buckminster Fuller, Sen. Edward Kennedy, pioneering feminist author Betty Friedan, U.S. Comptroller General David. M. Walker, and scientist and inventor Ray Kurzweil.
The Coming Revolution in Education
Report Post »for example, interviewing the top 40 leaders and opinion-formers of Egypt and Israel and receiving a Peace….
hunter1riley
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:26amLeftist indoctrination continues. It’s why I happily homeschool my children.
Report Post »MonIIIcine
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:41amTeach them to put a finger to both ears whenver exposed to speech in public settings, (it works for me). LOL.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:26amReally, environmental literacy??? That’s good; pile more crap on kids who haven’t mastered the 3 Rs, history, financial management or basic science.
Too many detractors like this & we wonder why we not only have atrocious gradation rates but functionally illiterate grads for too many of those that do stick it out.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:40amRon I thought the 3 R’s were
Reading , w(R)iting, (a)Rithmatic
Just kidding
Report Post »Lamsmom1
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:23amKnow what else is irritating? The ad at the top of the page in Spanish!
NObama 2012
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:23am“Environmental Literacy” = “Crazed Sex Poodleism”; Algore gets overly-excited just thinking about it.
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:22amOnly through exposure to nature and education about our fragile ecosystem can we create the next generation of USEFUL IDIOTS!
Report Post »Buttercup
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:21amI just remember everything being coated in red iron dust when Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point (largest steel mill in the world back in the 60′s) was still functioning. But at least it was red iron dust on employed people. Wow, isn’t progress great? No Bethlehem Steel, jobs are gone overseas, but we’ve got great air quality and environmental studies standards. What more could we want?
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:20amHey Maryland focus on the basics like breath control & proper trigger squeeze
Report Post »GadsdenGurl
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:20amThe UN once again rears its ugly head in our schools!
http://www.ibo.org
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:17amHow about math, history and english literacy Maryland?
Report Post »last frontier
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:14amObama and his minions are putting on a fine game of WHACKAMOLE for us all to play.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:10amI have a better idea. How about mandatory FACTUAL liberalism/Marxism/Communism/Socialism/Progressiveism literacy”, “U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence”/Founders factual literacy, study of human nature literacy, “separation of church and state” literacy, definition of “religion” literacy…oh yeah — and don’t forget “reading, writing and arithmetic”………..novel ideas I know. Sheesh!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:15amThey can start by reading the Bible
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:09amUmmmmHmmmmmm, but can they write a check. read a statement. know which utilities to call for service, compare ins quotes, manage car care or anything having to do with real life living 101? Even get a job? Just one more way to be educated idiots. I am so tired of the stupid games educators play for the political flavor of the month!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:07am.
Report Post »Do we really need Maryland?…..
cloudsofwar
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:48amno surprise here, i used to live in the peoples republic of maryland. did you see the poll on drudge report, only 1 in 3 say they would vote for BO. maybe there is hope and change after all.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:29pmRight up until the moment they have to pull the “R” lever, or Dechad the “R”, or write “R”. Then all bets are off.
Report Post »Anybody but Barry 2012
DirectlyUnPCman
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06amMore brain washing.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:05amHow about just literacy? Ever see the way these kids spell?
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:03amWatch Cessna’s link – which I‘m sure he’ll post here. Matched to today’s events, it’s unnerving.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:35amHow’s the earthquake repairs ?
Report Post »People Healing?
MonIIIcine
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:38amLots of people are stealing ad space from the Blaze besides him, very honorable.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:02pmNice of you to ask. There have been almost 8000 earthquakes so far and about 10 yesterday. No deaths now, thank God, but every time people clean up the mess in their area, another jolt comes along and it’s back to square one again.
Some are staying and some are walking away, and the hits just keep on coming.
It’s got to end sometime, but people have stopped saying that now. Still, it does have to end sometime.
I know some people who have stayed overnight in Christchurch just to feel some earthquakes. No-one has been disappointed yet.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:06pm“8000” is not a typo, btw.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:25pmMy family’s best to you. Just read about the Solomons campaign of WWII, the ANZAC , your people were and are great allies, Just give us a year and a half and we will right our ship. God Bless
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:03amAs long as the textbooks come from Texas conservatives I’d be ok with it. LOL
Report Post »MorMice
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:02amThis is very important because the future belongs to the educated and scientific
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:08amMan Made Global Warming (or Climate Change) is bogus science.
Your ability to troll needs work my friend, please try again.
Report Post »teddie888
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:22amThis is a UN Agenda 21 / ICLEI connection which was signed by Bill Clinton and is to have UN be the global ruler.
Report Post »MonIIIcine
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:32amMannax it’s OK if you troll better than most — Bogus science needs to be exposed by having it taught next to real science, that is what the tech creationism and design theory in Maryland schools.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 2:41pmEncinom, you mean like Piltdown Man? Eugenics?
Actually, your last sentence made no sense (typical for you) so could you please try it again?
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:01amProgressives are winning in Maryland.
Report Post »MorMice
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06amYes there IS a G-O-D.
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:01amThey wont be able to read or write or get a job, but they will support Cap & Tax!!!
Report Post »MorMice
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:07amThat will be the day – and quite ironic I would add.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:24amWell, this woman explains, in great detail, how it will happen. Listen to her carefully as history is repeating itself:
Halocaust survivor gives account of incremantal steps of Hitler… truly AMAZING! This administration are NOT Marxists they are National Socialists! Her story is unbelievable and shows how Hitler’s propaganda convinced the populace to vote for and trust him.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAvMHWhdEUU&feature=youtu.be
13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:32amKeep it coming flyboy
Report Post »Anybody but Barry 2012
spotster
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:01amdefund d.o.e. now before we do
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:35amyes get the feds out of education
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:41amand Energy
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:41pmAnd our pants, at the airport.
Report Post »Lawlcat001
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:49amWhy don’t we just pull a Lord Blackwood and “magically” kill everyone in the upper-ranking gov’t?
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:59amHow about financial literacy or even knowing American history think those should be at the top of the list. If I lived there the U-haul would already be backed up to the door!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:05am@NOMERCY63
Right on … !
TEA!
Report Post »MorMice
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:05amMaryland Rocks! Founded by Catholics, it is still a state where many persons believe in science and medicine. Maryland is the ancestral home to the National Institutes of Health and Science. Baltimore MD is home to the fabulous Johns Hopkins University and Medical Center.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06amWhat better way to educate the next generation on Environmentalism so that they can quickly identify a scam when they first see it. Brilliant.
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06am*facepalm*
Yes, way to go. You must be literate in unproven theories and political rhetoric/
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06am.
‘Environmental Literacy’ All you need to know is “Man does not have the power to alter the Earth’s Weather”…..
If you believe in Man Made Global Warming please have yourself fixed so as not to polute the gene pool futher thank you……
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:11amHow about Constitutional literacy? How about Parental literacy? How about English as the First language? How about Maryland just leave.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:15amwoo smart growth, only the rich can grow, now that’s change we can believe.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:16amDoes this offend anyone?
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06am Your comment is awaiting moderation.
.
‘Environmental Literacy’ All you need to know is “Man does not have the power to alter the Earth’s Weather”…..
If you believe in Man Made Global Warming please have yourself fixed so as not to polute the gene pool futher thank you……
Please tell us why you are reporting this comment: C’mon man really everything i say is to the rises to the level of moderation
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:18amThis is not the free speech Glenn talks about….Someone tell me what’s wrong with this post????????
..SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:06am Your comment is awaiting moderation.
.
‘Environmental Literacy’ All you need to know is “Man does not have the power to alter the Earth’s Weather”…..
If you believe in Man Made Global Warming please have yourself fixed so as not to polute the gene pool futher thank you……
Please tell us why you are reporting this comment: C’mon man really everything i say is to the rises to the level of moderation
Report Post »fastfacts
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:19amCLIMATEGATE2: NASA IN THE MIX
According to NASA, they busted a scientist who has been using his celebrity status, and other things, to make an extra $1.2 million dollars on the side from environmentalists and global warming advocates. ( http://tiny.cc/gcuj5 )
Report Post »SoCal Patriot
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:19am10,000 years ago there were woolly mammoths roaming around LA. I blame them for the beginning of the global warming phenomenon. I mean, hello, it’s so obvious. And they were awfully smug walking around Beverly Hills in their thick fur coats, dripping in ivory jewelry dontcha think?
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:23amIndoctrination… Please see this video below you will be “floored” . These people are doing the SAME thing
Halocaust survivor gives account of incremantal steps of Hitler… truly AMAZING! This administration are NOT Marxists they are National Socialists! Her story is unbelievable and shows how Hitler’s propaganda convinced the populace to vote for and trust him.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAvMHWhdEUU&feature=youtu.be
sWampy
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:24am@Mannax@
unproven, 99% of this crap has been dis-proven, yet they push it anyway. They know if they repeat a lie often enough eventually herds of idiots will start repeating it. They repeated the lie that homosexuality is normal for only 30 years, now 70% of the population believes that lie and over half want to see you beaten and locked up for telling them that what they believe is wrong.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:25amIf Environmental Literacy was filled with Truths and Morals, wouldn’t have to force the agenda.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:29amMaryland is a Gubbermint State . Every third person is a Gub worker, many in layers of Law enforcement. MD sucks off the teat of DC. Actual Taxpayers around the country create the milk.
Report Post »MonIIIcine
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:29amCessana152 that video is getting more airplay than a paid commercial! Wow you are good – I wonder why everybody doesn’t steal time and ad space from the Blaze?
Report Post »ILUVAMERICA
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:31am10 Signs That Nazis Run America!!!
Report Post »http://www.prisonplanet.com/10-signs-that-nazis-run-america.html
drattastic
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:33amGreen is the new Red. Get them young and brainwash them,commie bastards.
Report Post »MonIIIcine
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:36amYou Got To Support that Republican Governor
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:40amI sometimes wish that the U.S. would have a series of earthquakes which would cause the New England and west coast states to fall and sink into the oceans.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:41amIt’s all about the POWER. (And I do not mean Electricity)
Report Post »Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power – Power and Money – Money and Power
Hula Calhoun
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:41amILUVAMERICA: I went to prisonplanet.com once, saw an article supporting truthers, left right away. How valid are their other articles if they believe in the truther movement?
Report Post »stifroc
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:44amThat’s why I home school my kids.
Report Post »Besides reading, writing, math they learn finances, budgeting, responsibility, and capitalism by helping with the family business as well as running their own little enterprises.
My 12, 10 and 9 year old kids have more academic, practical and applicable knowledge than any of their peers and many adults.
Lotus503
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:50amCan’t read, can’t write, can’t do basic math…but they do know junk science!
Report Post »mcfinch
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:08pmWaste of time and money.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »Sound The Trumpet In Zion
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:14pmThis is STUPID. Johnny can‘t read or know the truth about the founding of this nation and what it stands for but he can’t graduate until they teach him how to go out and sabotage companies that are providing NEEDED items such as gas and oil. Do they get an A if they prove that they know how to stand in the road and hold up a sign saying how evil oil companies are? Perhaps they will give them extra credit for going out and verbally attacking the conservatives who want to bring freedom back into this nation. While we may not be ready or willing right now to do so, these wackos can be glad that the founding fathers are not alive because they would be even more willing to stand up to these goons and thugs that are taking over this nation and the founding fathers would again fight to the death for the country that they love and want to protect.
Report Post »ILUVAMERICA
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:33pm@Hula Calhoun
Report Post »9/11 truthers???
I doubt you would know the TRUTH if it slapped you in the face
Keep believing the rhetoric and lies of the mainstream
You read it once???
That is good investigative work!!
It‘s people like you who got ’O’mam in office to begin with
The truth is set before your eyes but still you want to believe in lies!
It is like ‘throwing pearls before swine”
Cobra Blue
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:30pmEnvironmental Literacy is the POLITE WAY of saying INDOCTRINATION.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:30pmBut the REAL question should be, is it a requirement for these students actually to read, write, and do basic math at their grade level in order to graduate?
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 2:30pmMonIIIcine says “You Got To Support that Republican Governor.“ Trolls rarely check their ”facts.” Owe’Malley is a democrat, just like MonIIIcine (aka encinom). You think they’d recognize the similarities, sloped forehead, dull, droopy eyes, fecal matter collected on the edges of their mouths, lack of common sense, lack of good sense, failure to be able to connect dots, in general, failures.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 3:24pmIsn’t it interesting that “science” isn’t enough? Environmentalism is anti-science. It’s anti-empirical method. They don’t want children taught to “prove it out”. Just accept what we tell you, and then repeat it to others as the truth.
Report Post »NC1
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 3:30pm…and they wonder why American kids are not excelling in math and science when this crap is forced upon them.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 3:52pmnomercy63
Report Post »Well said, but let’s remember, the school system is run by liberals and progressives, and all the liberals and progressives want to do is make our kids dumb so they are easier to enslave and program. Home school you kids, or at the very least get books on real AMERICAN HISTORY, and books that show the evil that lies at the heart of the liberal progressive agenda.
avenger
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 4:55pmliberal brain washing…privatize the school system !
Report Post »Beckster2
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 5:50pmYou’re exactly right
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 5:55pmIf you listened to Glenn’s radio show today, you no doubt heard Gov. Chris Christy state that AFTER many months of research, etc., he has determined that “climate change” is partially caused by MAN and he is banning the opening of any new coal plants in Virginia! Can you believe this? Yep…it FIGURES…doesn’t it? Hey, even if the guy KINDA thinks there may be some “human” element to all this crap…why in G_d’s sake did he have to SAY IT? AND…WHY DID HE SAY IT “N O W”, OF ALL TIMES? What’s wrong with him?…He is emboldening the “enemies” of We The People and our Republic! Can you say, Cap and Tax? Sad…really poor judgment…really!
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:07pmMy thoughts exactly! First US history (real, not rewritten), basic math and literacy (REAL literacy, not text message abbreviations), and REAL, non-controversial proven science. Ethics wouldn’t hurt but I guess we can forget about those.
I think what they are doing now is giving them classes in avoiding reality, creative lying, global warming BS and panic, classes on how to embezzle, play the race card, how to be a victim, and most importantly, classes in hating and apologizing for America!
Report Post »dumboldcontractor
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:37pmAGENDA 21 alert! 2005- 2015 is the decade of educating the mushbrains to be good tree huggers. UN taking contol!
Report Post »nptden
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 8:02amSee how the Commies do it. Time to retake our Dept of Education. Eliminate the EPA and all the socialist agencies we don’t really need.
Report Post »Red Bubba
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:55amWhy not just make the kids pay dues directly to the teacher’s union in exchange for a diploma?
Report Post »