New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy is credited with leading the push for that state’s new science standards, adopted in 2020 by the NJ State Board of 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 the focus 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. We have earned the bragging rights for excellence. Governor Shapiro needs to speak up for Pennsylvania.
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, more than 20 major environmental laws were enacted. In 1977, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education was formed, and the Pa. Board of Education made study of the environment a core goal of a quality education.
In December 1984, Pennsylvania released its Environmental Education Master Plan, which established the Office of Environment and Ecology (OEE), within the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 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.
Recognizing the need for rigor, in 1991 “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. Workshops were offered by state agencies and non-profit centers to help teachers better understand the content of Environment and Ecology, and to assist teachers in integrating these concepts across subject areas and grade levels.
In 1996, the OEE led the development of the first-ever interdisciplinary test for Science, Technology, Environment and Ecology, 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. This work creating a strong network of partnerships proudly secured Pennsylvania a seat at the Education and Environment Roundtable 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 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
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. Nine standard categories were developed for K-12 including the study of watersheds and wetlands, and humans and the environment.
For two decades, I sat on Environment and Ecology committees and led an award-winning public school with Environment and Ecology as its core mission. Working with incredible teachers, I witnessed thousands of students reap the benefits of environment-based learning. The resources shared through the OEE’s network helped all students achieve unprecedented academic success.
Recently, the Pennsylvania standards underwent a revision. Fortunately, Environment and Ecology concepts 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.
With whales and dolphins dying in New Jersey, climate change being blamed for just about everything, and a current battle in Harrisburg over failed school systems, school choice and vouchers, when it comes to Environment and Ecology education, Pennsylvania has an amazing success story to tell.
New Jersey may have a focus on climate, but New Jersey can’t steal our thunder. Not only did Pennsylvania do it first, but Pennsylvania did it well.
Jean Wallace lives in Flourtown, Montgomery County, and is the former CEO of Green Woods Charter School in Philadelphia.
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