Sustainable Schools Outcome:Factors Influencing Progress
Several factors could impact our ability to increase the number of schools in the region that reduce the impact of their buildings and grounds on the environment and human health. These factors have directly informed the management actions our partners will take to achieve the Sustainable Schools outcome.
State Agency Engagement
Progress toward this outcome will require state agencies to support state-level sustainable school certification programs and attend meetings with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Local Agency Engagement
Education is primarily controlled by local school districts (600+ in the region), each with their own leadership and management structure. With the exception of state laws and regulations, education priorities are largely determined at the local level and may not mirror state priorities. Progress toward this outcome will require district- and division-level administrators to include elements of sustainability in their facilities plans.
Education Reform
While national education reform has lent itself to using the environment as an integrating context for learning, the shifts in both teaching and learning these reforms require pose ongoing challenges to developing systemic approaches to environmental education. Progress toward this outcome will require continued support for and participation in sustainable school certification programs.
School Community Readiness
Progress toward this outcome will require administrators to understand the benefits sustainable schools can bring to students and school budgets. It will also require schools to provide teacher training in sustainability and to provide building and maintenance staff training in the benefits and upkeep of best management practices.
Funding
Progress toward this outcome will require funding to support state agency staff and sustainable school projects.