Bill > S311

This bill aims to implement an interdisciplinary climate education curriculum in the elementary and secondary schools of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. The Board of Education will direct the Commissioner to establish curriculum standards for history, social sciences, science, and technology that include relevant and interdisciplinary climate change content. This will provide students with a deeper understanding of climate policy, climate justice, and climate activism. 2. The curriculum standards will address issues disproportionately affecting communities impacted by climate change, such as environmental justice communities, and will cover topics like the human impact on the carbon cycle, the effects of global warming on the water cycle, the loss of forests, and the health and economic impacts of climate change. 3. The Commissioner will ensure that bilingual and English as a Second Language students have access to the same curriculum and learning opportunities, provide professional development for educators, and engage with youth leaders and climate organizations to get feedback on the curriculum standards. 4. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2022, with the curriculum requirements to be implemented by school districts under the Department's purview by August 1, 2024.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S311