Federal Legislation
In 2023, UndauntedK12 has endorsed the following pieces of legislation to advance equitable climate resilience and equitable access to healthy, resilient, decarbonized school infrastructure:
Rebuild America’s Schools Act
Introduced by Rep. Bobby Scott and Sen. Jack Reed
The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2023 would improve public school infrastructure and environments to ensure school facilities are safe, healthy, sustainable, and offer positive learning environments for all students. The bill will create a federal-state partnership for school infrastructure. It will provide, over five years, a total of $130 billion in direct grants and school construction bonds to help fill the annual gap in school facility capital needs, while creating nearly two million jobs. The money and financing would be available to local school districts and would be targeted to physical and digital infrastructure upgrades, with an emphasis on schools of greatest need with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff.
The Green New Deal for Public Schools
Introduced by Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Sen. Ed Markey
The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act would invest $1.6 trillion over the next decade in public and Bureau of Indian Education schools to revitalize the K-12 education system, upgrade every public school building in the country, and reduce hazardous pollution. The legislation would also reverse harmful disinvestment in the public school system by investing in schools serving low-income students, fully funding education for students with disabilities, and giving schools the resources to hire hundreds of thousands of educators, paraprofessionals, and staff, including counselors, to support student mental health. Investing $1.6 trillion over ten years in the U.S. education system would create 1.3 million jobs annually and eliminate 78 million metric tons of carbon emissions, which is equal to taking 17 million cars off the road.
No Child Left Inside Act
Introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes and Sen. Jack Reed
The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2023 would improve public school infrastructure and environments to ensure school facilities are safe, healthy, sustainable, and offer positive learning environments for all students. The bill will create a federal-state partnership for school infrastructure. It will provide, over five years, a total of $130 billion in direct grants and school construction bonds to help fill the annual gap in school facility capital needs, while creating nearly two million jobs. The money and financing would be available to local school districts and would be targeted to physical and digital infrastructure upgrades, with an emphasis on schools of greatest need with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff.
Press release and summary available here
Green Ribbon Act of 2023
Introduced by Rep. Jahana Hayes and Sen. Cory Booker
The Green Ribbons Act of 2023 will strengthen and expand the Green Ribbon Schools program at the Department of Education by boosting the capacity of participating states to expand the number of engaged schools, applicants and nominees. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Green Ribbon Schools program is a federal recognition initiative that spotlights school sustainability across the country. Each year, ED highlights schools, districts, postsecondary institutions and early learning centers for their work surrounding health and sustainability. To be eligible for an award, schools must show progress in all three of the following areas: reduced environmental impacts and costs, improved health and wellness, and effective environmental and sustainability education.
Press release and summary available here
Living Schoolyards Act of 2023
Introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich
The Green Ribbons Act of 2023 will strengthen and expand the Green Ribbon Schools program at the Department of Education by boosting the capacity of participating states to expand the number of engaged schools, applicants and nominees. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Green Ribbon Schools program is a federal recognition initiative that spotlights school sustainability across the country. Each year, ED highlights schools, districts, postsecondary institutions and early learning centers for their work surrounding health and sustainability. To be eligible for an award, schools must show progress in all three of the following areas: reduced environmental impacts and costs, improved health and wellness, and effective environmental and sustainability education.