{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-825.02","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 38-825.02","heading":"Environmental Literacy Program.","body":"(a)\nAn Environmental Literacy Program is established within the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The Environmental Literacy Program shall:\n(1)\nCoordinate the efforts of the District Department of the Environment, the District of Columbia Public Schools, the Public Charter School Board, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the State Board of Education, the University of the District of Columbia, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of General Services, and the Department of Employment Services to triennially develop an environmental literacy plan for public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools;\n(2)\nEstablish and convene an Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee, composed of community organizations, District government agencies, and other interested persons;\n(3)\nCollect data on the location and types of environmental education programs in public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools;\n(4)\nProvide environmental education guidance and technical assistance to public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools;\n(5)\nProvide training, support, and assistance for environmental literacy programs in public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools; and\n(6)\nAssist public schools and public charter schools in receiving certification as U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.\n\n(b)\nThe environmental literacy plan shall, at minimum, include the following:\n(1)\nRelevant teaching and learning standards adopted by the State Board of Education;\n(2)\nProfessional development opportunities for teachers;\n(3)\nSuitable metrics to measure environmental literacy;\n(4)\nSuitable methods to increase environmental literacy;\n(5)\nGovernmental and nongovernmental entities that can assist schools in the achievement of those goals; and\n(6)\nA proposed implementation method for the plan.\n\n(c)\nBeginning in 2020, and triennially thereafter, the Environmental Literacy Program shall include in the comprehensive report required by § 38-823.03, an update about the state of environmental education in the District, plans for expansion, and recommendations for improving the program.\n\n(d)\n(1)\nThe Office of the State Superintendent of Education (\"OSSE\") shall establish an Environmental Literacy Leadership Cadre (\"Cadre\"), which shall be comprised of teachers, selected by OSSE, at public schools and public charter schools.  Each teacher in the Cadre shall:\n(A)\nCreate, if applicable, and help maintain a garden at the teacher's school;\n(B)\nImplement composting and recycling programs at the teacher's school;\n(C)\nImplement the June 2012 environmental literacy plan, or a subsequent environmental literacy plan developed pursuant to this section, and other OSSE-approved guidance, at the teacher's school; and\n(D)\nAssist other teachers at the teacher's school with incorporating science standards.\n(2)\nOSSE shall provide each teacher selected to participate in the Cadre with an appropriate and fair stipend, in addition to the teacher's salary.\n(3)\nOSSE shall provide grants to nonprofit and community-based organizations to support the schools represented in the Cadre by providing or coordinating programs and activities related to school-based environmental literacy programs.\n(4)\nOSSE may create or implement other initiatives or projects that support the Cadre.","path":["Title 38. Educational Institutions.","Chapter 8A. Healthy Schools.","Subchapter V. Environment."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-825.02","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"e42936e6aa2bfb9d9fdd05c5c4d7b86a29e29a075aa485b9270453369c7c2d2e","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-825.01a","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-825.03"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}