Bill > S391

This bill establishes the Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Trust Fund to support climate education in K-12 public schools across Massachusetts. The fund will provide financial resources for developing and implementing comprehensive climate literacy programs, with a focus on underserved and environmental justice communities. The bill defines interdisciplinary climate literacy as an understanding of how human actions influence climate and vice versa, incorporating multiple academic disciplines including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, history, social sciences, civics, and government. A new 10-member Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Advisory Council will be created, including youth leaders, environmental justice representatives, educators from various disciplines, and climate science experts. District-level climate literacy plans must be developed with youth involvement and in consultation with environmental organizations, and will be required to provide comprehensive education on climate change, including its causes, impacts, policy proposals, scientific research, environmental justice, and strategies for understanding and addressing climate challenges. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education will oversee the fund's implementation and must provide an annual public report detailing the fund's activities, expenditures, and educational impact. The ultimate goal is to provide students with a holistic, interdisciplinary understanding of climate change and its broader societal implications.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S391