Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING PRESENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Summary of Assessment

            The bill requires school districts, schools, and teachers providing instruction in environmental sciences to ensure that the instruction provides objective coverage of the current scientific and economic research on environmental and ecological issues. In areas of controversy, school districts, schools, and teachers are required to stress individual analysis of claims and evidence and critical analysis of proposed solutions. Additionally, in preparing curriculum for environmental issues, school districts, schools, and teachers are required to seek countervailing scientific and economic views on controversial issues. The bill is effective upon signature of the Governor.

            The Department of Education indicates that, as a matter of good teaching practice, classes and individual topics are presented in a balanced and objective manner. It is assumed that the majority of environmental education programs taught in Colorado’s public schools comply with the bill’s requirements. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Education