Pennsylvania has a strong commitment to Environmental Literacy supported by state agencies, nonprofits, universities, and school districts. The Pennsylvania Department of Education and their partners encourage school districts to participate in the biennial collection of data, known as the Environmental Literacy Indicator Tool (ELIT), to understand the landscape and inform efforts to advance the implementation of environmental education. Self-reported data about how prepared school districts feel to implement a comprehensive and systemic approach to environmental literacy from the 2024 ELIT Survey show 8% of reporting districts are “well prepared,” 61% are “somewhat prepared,” and 31% are “not prepared.” Results from individual school districts are also available.
To review progress on the student, planning, and sustainable schools outcomes, visit Chesapeake Progress.
The PA Code provides policy and guidance for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to implement academic standards including the interdisciplinary Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) standards. The new standards contain five domains (Life Science, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Technology and Engineering) which includes one new domain: Environmental Literacy and Sustainability. This domain incorporates essential principles of environmental education organized under the following three core ideas: 1) Agricultural and Environmental Systems and Resources; 2) Environmental Literacy Skills; and 3) Sustainability and Stewardship.
In 1993, the General Assembly enacted the Environmental Education Act which named the two agencies of the PA Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources along with PA Department of Education as primarily responsible for ensuring that all citizens have equitable access to quality environmental education opportunities.
PA also has a state Environmental Literacy Plan that was developed in 2015 and is currently undergoing revisions. It was drafted by the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Environmental Education (PACEE) under the guidance of the Department of Education.
The Facilitator’s Guide to MWEE Training is a modular resource to support consistent MWEE training across the region. The PA version includes local case studies and connections to the state standards. Learn how to become a Pennsylvania MWEE Certified Trainer by participating in MWEE Certified trainings across the state.
The ELit Plan Template is a resource for school districts to use as a baseline for designing written plans that document where environmental literacy experiences occur over and students K-12 experience.
The ELM is a comprehensive planning document that articulates the trajectory of a MWEE. Find and use exemplar ELMs developed by teachers and educators from across the region for inspiration.
The Pennsylvania Gateway to Green website serves as an online hub for Pennsylvania educators to connect with hyper local environmental literacy resources and opportunities. It includes an Events page that helps educators find professional development opportunities across the state.
The Funding page lists regional and state grants to support MWEEs and environmental education programs.
The PA ELit Network is a collaborative that brings together staff from state agencies, nonformal educators, formal K-12 teachers and school districts, business and industry leaders, and postsecondary institutions, to advance environmental literacy in the Commonwealth. Interested in joining the PA ELit Network? Complete this form to be connected to your regional hub.
PAEE, Pennsylvania’s affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), is the professional organization for educators in the state with a mission to unite, support, and empower the community of environmental educators throughout Pennsylvania. PAEE hosts an annual conference and provides professional development opportunities throughout the year. Additionally, the Find EE Near Me resources boasts almost 500 providers and is easily accessed by those seeking environmental education partners.
PSTA is the state chapter of the National Science Teachers Association and has a mission of connecting, informing, supporting, and advocating for science educators and students in Pennsylvania.
The Pathways to Green Schools Program provides recognition to schools across the commonwealth as they design, build, and implement their school, district, or institution’s environment literacy and sustainability plans. Pennsylvania Department of Education nominates as many as five Pre-K-12 schools or districts annually to the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program. More information about this process can be found on the PA Department of Education’s webpage.
Through classroom-tested curriculum, hands-on science kits, and professional development, the Shared Waters project supports administrators and teachers in seamlessly embedding standards-aligned environmental literacy and sustainability education into district curriculum.
Visit sharedwatersproject.com for more informationCreek Connections works with regional middle and high school teachers to conduct environmental education outreach, including water quality monitoring. This is a great example of an afterschool program that uses the MWEE approach!
Visit naaee.org for more information