NJ claims to be first, but it was Pennsylvania that led the nation in the study of the environment
By: Jean M. Wallace, M.Ed and Dr. Patricia Vathis, Curriculum Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Environment and Ecology (Retired)
New Jersey’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, is credited for leading the push for the state’s new Science Standards, which were adopted in 2020 by the NJ State Board of Education. https://stateline.org/2023/06/27/this-is-the-existential-crisis-a-push-for-climate-change-education/ The standards appear to be rigorous, with a focus on climate change through interdisciplinary teaching and learning. But, New Jersey also claims that it is the first state in the nation to design this kind of approach. Not so fast, New Jersey!
While this 2020 adoption to incorporate environmental concepts across content areas and grade levels is good news for New Jersey students, Pennsylvania has successfully utilized this same approach for decades. The Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology (E&E) were the first such standards in the nation and finalized into law in 2002. Prior to that, years were spent designing and building a state-wide coalition that included the Department of Education (PDE), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), state agencies, nature centers, non-profits and more. Pennsylvania was also the first state to enact Environment and Ecology Standards. We have earned the bragging rights and Governor Shapiro needs to speak up for Pennsylvania.
A Brief History Lesson.
Nationwide, the environmental movement began to take hold in the early 1970s and spearheaded the creation of the National Environmental Policy Act. From this one piece of legislation, over 20 major environmental laws were then enacted during this decade. In 1977 the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education was formed, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Education made the study of the environment a core goal of a quality education. A Declaration of Rights was created stating in part:
“ The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all people, including generations yet to come.”
A Master Plan for Environment and Ecology
In December of 1984, Pennsylvania released its Environmental Education Master Plan, which led to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Environmental Resources (now DEP) and the Department of Education, to establish the Office of Environment and Ecology (OEE). The OEE, led by Dean Steinhart and Patricia Vathis, became the “hub” for creating strong educational partnerships, developing rigorous academic standards, designing quality resources, and connecting schools to these resources by implementing educator workshops across the state.
After years of building support for quality teaching and learning, in 1991 the OEE recognized the need to increase academic rigor and “Environmental Education” became the field of “Environment and Ecology.” This critical change in name ensured that the study of the environment would remain on equal footing with other academic disciplines.
In 1993, The Environmental Education Advisory Council was created and directed by PDE. Through this council, exemplary programs continued to be developed and delivered to schools. Workshops were offered by state agencies and non-profit centers to help teachers better understand the content of Environment and Ecology, and to assist them in teaching concepts across subject areas and grade levels.
Pennsylvania Joins the Roundtable and E&E Becomes the Law
In 1996, through the securing of a Federal Grant, the OEE led the development of the first ever interdisciplinary test for Science, Technology, Environment and Ecology, (STEE) which became the foundational assessment for the state-mandated test still administered today. In 1998, the OEE field-tested assessments and continued to support teachers and schools through the development of inquiry-based, hands-on learning models aligned to the state assessment . The OEE’s work in creating a strong and supportive network of partnerships proudly secured Pennsylvania a seat at the Environmental Education Round Table established by the Pew Foundation.
In 2002, the final draft of the Environment and Ecology Standards officially became law in Pennsylvania. The introduction to these standards clearly reflects the requirement for interdisciplinary learning:
“Environment and Ecology examines the world with respect to the economic, cultural, political and social structure as well as natural processes and systems. This integration across systems is what sets this academic area apart from all others.” …Dr. Patricia Vathis
Pennsylvania Created the Standards and the Model
These standards took years to create, but what is most remarkable is that they were developed from scratch as, at the time, there were no national standards or a model state with rigorous standards for environment and ecology. The standards were written by the OEE in collaboration with other state agencies, parents, students and colleges and universities. Once enacted into law, every student, every year, was required to receive instruction in the nine categories listed below. Proficiency standards were created for Grades 4, 7, 10 and 12, with statewide PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) tests administered in grades 4 and 8 to gauge each school’s success in teaching to these standards. Grades 10 and 12 standards were later assessed through the high school Keystone Biology exam.
- Watershed and Wetlands
- Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
- Environmental Health
- Agriculture and Society
- Integrated Pest Management
- Ecosystems and their Interactions
- Threatened and Endangered Species
- Humans and the Environment
- Environmental Laws and Regulations
Successful Learning Built on the Shoulders of Giants
For two decades, co-author, Jean Wallace sat on various Environment and Ecology committees and led an award-winning school built on interdisciplinary, experiential learning with Environment and Ecology as its core mission. She worked with incredible teachers and witnessed thousands of students reap the benefits of environment-based learning. As an example, her school’s 4th grade students enjoyed a 96% proficiency rate in state Science assessments, of which Environment and Ecology concepts were the key focus. Her school went on to receive local, state, national and even international recognition for academic success. Waiting lists to get into the school grew exponentially as parents appreciated this unique approach to learning. The resources shared through the OEE’s network helped all of her students achieve unprecedented academic success.
So this is the past, but what is the future of E&E in Pennsylvania? Recently, the Pennsylvania Standards for Science underwent a revision. Fortunately, Environment and Ecology concepts withstood the test of time and remain a strong emphasis in the new standards. Just as important as the future of E&E, however, is the historical context of how it all began. As Isaac Newton said, “ If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” In this case, there are just too many Environment and Ecology “giants” to list.
Pennsylvania Earned the Bragging Rights
But with so much negative press about the state of education, an unprecedented number of whales and dolphins dying off the coast of New Jersey, climate change being blamed for just about everything and anything, as well as a current battle in Harrisburg focused on failed school systems, school choice and vouchers, when it comes to Environment and Ecology, Pennsylvania does have a success story to tell, and it is a story that spans four decades.
Governor Shapiro – please set the record straight with Governor Murphy. We have earned the bragging rights here! New Jersey may have a specific focus on climate change, but New Jersey can’t steal our thunder when it comes to the study of the environment. Pennsylvania led the nation in creating the academic field of Environment and Ecology and, not only did Pennsylvania do it first, Pennsylvania did it well.