SAN JOSE, CA –The Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) unanimously approved a resolution supporting environmental literacy, sustainability education, and climate action at its last meeting of the year on Wednesday, December 15.
The resolution spotlights the importance of environmental stewardship as part of students’ education and the roles young climate activists have in our community.
Environmental education has not only been encouraged in California schools but was enacted into state law in 2018. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in California classrooms provide an opportunity for students to engage in real-world inquiry and application of science skills in understanding and addressing climate change.
For more than 70 years, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) has provided environmental and sustainability education to students through Walden West Outdoor Science School. Additionally, the SCCOE is expanding support and technical assistance for school gardens and school garden curriculum.
“As a premier service organization, we strive to provide our students with a well-rounded education that includes environmental consciousness,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools. “I am grateful for the partnerships we have with local climate action and conservation organizations who see the value in working with students, ultimately creating the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The SCCOE partners with local indigenous communities to incorporate indigenous knowledge into lessons regarding environmental literacy, climate solutions, and sustainability. Educators and community-based partners are provided support through the Environmental Literacy Leadership Collaborative, a network that works to bring environmental literacy into classrooms.
The SCCOE is committed to not only educating and engaging students in environmental education but also providing sustainable and energy-efficient learning environments. School districts are supported as they align their development and implementation of sustainability and climate action plans with the County of Santa Clara’s Sustainability Master Plan and Climate Roadmap 2030.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.