EEA ISSUES
SUCCESS! GA Outdoor Learning Grants Appropriation Approved
EEA is grateful for another step taken in the direction of outdoor learning experiences for all Georgia's children!
Next Steps
1. We will follow the progress of the outdoor learning grants appropriation as it makes its way through the budgeting process to the Georgia Department of Education. EEA will offer to save the department money by administering the grants program for the state. (During Georgia's previous outdoor classroom grant program from 1993-2003, EEA administered 1,000 grants at the request of the Department of Education. Lessons learned from extensive evaluation of that pilot program provided the insights into sustainability that shaped this new outdoor learning grant program.)
2. EEA will continue to advance outdoor learning by providing professional development workshops, online courses, and nationally-accredited certification; lessons and eco-engineering challenges, technical assistance such as the CoOL Outdoor Learning Toolkit, convenings, such as the Outdoor Learning Symposium, certification of pollinator habitats, and resources for teachers, professors, non-formal educators, school administrators, facilities managers, architects and designers, etc.
3. EEA is seeking the last dollars needed to launch several new initiatives in support of outdoor learning, including:
4. EEA will advocate for expanded, multi-year funding for the Georgia outdoor learning grants, and will support our allies in their efforts to get other schoolyard projects and an Office of the Outdoors passed in future legislative sessions.
1. We will follow the progress of the outdoor learning grants appropriation as it makes its way through the budgeting process to the Georgia Department of Education. EEA will offer to save the department money by administering the grants program for the state. (During Georgia's previous outdoor classroom grant program from 1993-2003, EEA administered 1,000 grants at the request of the Department of Education. Lessons learned from extensive evaluation of that pilot program provided the insights into sustainability that shaped this new outdoor learning grant program.)
2. EEA will continue to advance outdoor learning by providing professional development workshops, online courses, and nationally-accredited certification; lessons and eco-engineering challenges, technical assistance such as the CoOL Outdoor Learning Toolkit, convenings, such as the Outdoor Learning Symposium, certification of pollinator habitats, and resources for teachers, professors, non-formal educators, school administrators, facilities managers, architects and designers, etc.
3. EEA is seeking the last dollars needed to launch several new initiatives in support of outdoor learning, including:
- A national community engagement process to identify research, lessons-learned, and best practices in outdoor learning, as part of the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning
- A statewide program for certifying CoOL Schoolyards
- A dashboard that schools and outdoor learning providers can use to show collective impact
- A capacity-building program for outdoor learning providers that will result in various levels of recognition
- A convening of schools, nature centers, and other outdoor learning providers to consider the results of the Georgia EE Landscape Analysis, identify the gaps, and plan action to improve and expand outdoor learning in our state
4. EEA will advocate for expanded, multi-year funding for the Georgia outdoor learning grants, and will support our allies in their efforts to get other schoolyard projects and an Office of the Outdoors passed in future legislative sessions.
Outdoor Learning in the Georgia Legislature: The outcomes
Winter 2022
EEA thanks Sen. Sheikh Rahman, who spearheaded this effort, all the sponsors of the bills introduced during the legislative session, and the appropriations committee. We are grateful to our network of member organizations, partners, educators, and allies who provided information to legislators about the value of outdoor learning, hosted legislators who wanted to see outdoor learning in action, organized Q&A sessions with Sen, Rahman, and signed letters of support to the bipartisan group of Georgia senators and representatives who championed this cause.
EEA thanks Sen. Sheikh Rahman, who spearheaded this effort, all the sponsors of the bills introduced during the legislative session, and the appropriations committee. We are grateful to our network of member organizations, partners, educators, and allies who provided information to legislators about the value of outdoor learning, hosted legislators who wanted to see outdoor learning in action, organized Q&A sessions with Sen, Rahman, and signed letters of support to the bipartisan group of Georgia senators and representatives who championed this cause.
Outdoor Learning Grants
$250,000 appropriation requested for FY 2023 to . . .
"create a grant program that can be used by schools to provide educator training and supplies to increase outdoor teaching capacity, improve outdoor learning spaces at schoolyards, and fund visits to nature centers. According to a study of outdoor learning in 55 Georgia counties, schools with these elements were found to have greater sustained success and improved student outcomes."
Status at end of session: Budget passed with $75,000 in this line item.
$250,000 appropriation requested for FY 2023 to . . .
"create a grant program that can be used by schools to provide educator training and supplies to increase outdoor teaching capacity, improve outdoor learning spaces at schoolyards, and fund visits to nature centers. According to a study of outdoor learning in 55 Georgia counties, schools with these elements were found to have greater sustained success and improved student outcomes."
Status at end of session: Budget passed with $75,000 in this line item.
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SB 603
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SB 619
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The proposed Outdoor Learning Spaces Pilot Project would
provide for community engagement, design, and capital construction of outdoor learning spaces that school boards and schools agree to incorporate into existing curriculum for three years, to be evaluated thereafter. Sponsors: Sen. Sheikh Rahman [D] Sen. Bo Hatchett [R] Rep. Matt Dubnik [R] Status at end of session: Passed Senate 48-2-3-3; House committee favorably reported on substitute. |
The proposed Office of the Outdoors would support and promote outdoor experiences for Georgians, including an outdoor education grant program in section 10.
Sponsors: Sen. Sheikh Rahman [D] Sen. Randy Robertson [R] Sen. Jeff Mullis [R] Sen. Gloria Butler [D] Sen. Sally Harrell [D] Sen. Ed Harbison [D] Sen. Jennifer Jordan [D] Sen. Billy Hickman [R] Sen. Valencia Seay [D] Sen. Nikki Merritt [D] Sen. Kim Jackson [D]Sen. Emanuel Jones [D] Sen. Matt Brass [R]Sen. Michael Dugan [R] Sen. Michael Rhett [D] Sen. Lester Jackson [D] Sen. Horacena Tate [D] Sen. Michelle Au [D] Sen. Gail Davenport [D] Sen. Freddie Sims [D] Sen. Donzella James [D] Sen. David Lucas [D] Sen. Sonya Halpern [D] Sen. Elena Parent [D] Sen. Tonya Anderson [D] Sen. Harold Jones [D] Sen. Nan Orrock [D] Sen. Sheila McNeill [R] Status at end of session: passed first reading (25%). |
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Recommendations of the Georgia Senate Study Committee
Winter 2021
Following a series of hearings and field visits, the Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning has issued its final report. The recommendations are listed here. The full report can be read or downloaded below. The Study Committee encourages:
Following a series of hearings and field visits, the Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning has issued its final report. The recommendations are listed here. The full report can be read or downloaded below. The Study Committee encourages:
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1. an explicit focus on outdoor learning in teaching programs, the creation of rewards for educators choosing to utilize outdoor learning, and the implementation of greater support and interconnectedness between private
organizations working towards these goals. 2. the creation of an “Office of the Outdoors” in order to optimize outdoor learning, engagement, and recreation efforts across state government departments and with non-state partners. 3. funding or other support to ensure that each Georgia child participates in regular, meaningful outdoor learning experiences on campus as well as field trips to natural areas, outdoor learning facilities, and/or residential environmental education centers. 4. the support of green schoolground pilots around the state to evaluate what success looks like in a state wide implementation. 5. the creation of a grant program available to both schools and non-profit providers of outdoor learning and environmental education that would:
7. the inclusion of an ongoing program similar to “The MLK Jr. Outdoor Learning Trail,” in Columbus, Georgia, in student’s curriculum statewide. Students should have the opportunity to engage in nature, civics, and gardening as a result. |
Testimony and Field Visits Help Senators Investigate Outdoor Learning
Fall 2021
Many thanks to all who provided testimony, hosted site visits, and organized question and answer sessions with Sen. Rahman, including EEA Board members, Georgia Science Teachers Association, Georgia Science Supervisors Association, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Greening Youth Foundation, Captain Planet Foundation, Children and Nature Network, and many other educators and outdoor learning advocates. Thanks to Sen. Rahman for leading all of these efforts and for serving as keynote speaker at EEA's CoOL Outdoor Learning Symposium in November 2021.
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Invitation to Provide Testimony on the Value of Outdoor Learning
September 2021
A bipartisan Georgia Senate Study Committee has been formed for the purpose of researching the value of and need for outdoor learning. The Committee will be making recommendations to the legislature about support (and possibly funding) for outdoor learning after completing their research. Here are some ways you can contribute to the Senate study:
A bipartisan Georgia Senate Study Committee has been formed for the purpose of researching the value of and need for outdoor learning. The Committee will be making recommendations to the legislature about support (and possibly funding) for outdoor learning after completing their research. Here are some ways you can contribute to the Senate study:
- Provide written testimony to Sen. Sheikh Rahman and the Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning
- Share your thoughts and experiences on the value of and need for outdoor learning opportunities
- Choose from these three ways to provide input:
- Join Georgia Science Teachers Association virtual conversation with Sen. Rahman on Sep 14 at 5 p.m. Note that a membership in GSTA must be current to request the link - but it is inexpensive and worthwhile!
- Write a letter or email to the Senate Committee.
- Testify at a hearing or invite the Senate to make a site visit to your school or facility.
- This article summarizes the testimony provided by EEA Board President Zipangani Vokhiwa to the Senate Committee.
For Your Consideration: The case for outdoor learning
- Outdoor learning takes place in non-formal settings, K-12 schools and universities
- Academic gains and deeper understanding are key outcomes of outdoor learning
- Struggling students benefit from real-world connections made in outdoor learning
- Outdoor learning increases student engagement, which reduces behavior problems
- The sense-making and problem-solving inherent in outdoor learning creates a level playing field, reduces the advantages of prior knowledge, and increases relevance
- Girls and children of color - who are underrepresented in STEM majors and careers - persist longer when engaged in projects that focus on environmental outcomes and human impacts
- Outdoor learning increases students' physical and mental health and increases a feeling of connection to nature
- Students who feel connected to nature are more likely to grow up to prioritize clean water, fresh air, and healthy lands
- Empowering students to solve bite-sized environmental problems in the schoolyard increases self-efficacy
- Outdoor education engages students in environmental stewardship projects and fosters a lifelong conservation ethic
- Desire for outdoor learning experiences is a strong driver of travel and tourism, contributing to GA's economic vitality
- Support, resources, and effective professional learning can enable teachers to overcome obstacles to outdoor learning
- Research citations and peer-reviewed articles for the information above can be found here
Members of the Senate Study Committee
Senate Resolution 203 Creating the Senate Study Committee
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Environmental Education Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 801066 Acworth, GA 30101 EEA does not does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its program or activities. For more information on EEA's non-discrimination commitment click here . Grievance officer may be contacted at info@eealliance.org |