Bill > H560

This bill establishes the Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Trust Fund to support climate change education in K-12 public schools across Massachusetts. The bill creates an Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Advisory Council composed of 10 diverse members, including youth leaders, environmental justice representatives, educators from various disciplines, and climate science experts. The council will help develop guidelines for district-level climate literacy plans that require youth involvement, consultation with environmental organizations, and culturally competent instruction. These plans must provide comprehensive climate education covering topics such as environmental justice, causes and impacts of climate change, scientific research, policy solutions, and effective communication about climate issues. The fund will support districts by providing resources for curriculum development, professional development for teachers, technical support, and prioritizing underserved communities and schools in environmental justice areas. The bill defines "interdisciplinary climate literacy" as an understanding of how human actions influence climate and vice versa, integrating knowledge from science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, history, social sciences, civics, and government. Annually, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education must report on the fund's activities, including funding sources, expenditures, and educational impact, with the report to be publicly available on the department's website.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H560