California's Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum

1. CCSS
Conference
2011
CALIFORNIA EDUCATION
AND THE
ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE
www.CaliforniaEEI.org

2. The EEI is a first-of-its kind, State
Board of Education-approved,
environment-based curriculum:
 Proven Curriculum
 Leading the Nation
in Environmental Literacy
 Encouraging Critical Thinking
 Preparing Informed Decision-
Makers for Tomorrow
2

3. YEARS OF PROGRESS
2004 2005 2006-09 2007-08 2009 Jan.-Mar.
2010
Development
Standards EEI Field/Pilot Independent TODAY
Alignment Curriculum Testing in Curriculum State
of California's & Model Board of Poised to
Environmental Development Schools Review Implement
Curriculum Education
Principles and Plan Approval
Concepts

4. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
 85 Units
 Grades K-12
 Academic Standards-Based
 Environment-Based Education
 English Language
Development

5. ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS
Air
Climate change
Energy
Environmental justice
Environmental sustainability
Fish and wildlife resources
Forestry
Integrated pest management
Integrated waste management
Oceans
Pollution prevention
Public health and the environment
Resource conservation and recycling
Toxics and hazardous waste
Water

6. HISTORY-SOCIAL SCIENCE
STANDARDS/EEI UNITS
High School Units = 14
 Tenth Grade (4 Units)
 Eleventh Grade (4 Units)
 Twelfth Grade – Economics (3 Units)
 Twelfth Grade – Principles of American Democracy (3 Units)
Middle School Units = 10
 Seventh Grade ( 5 Units)
 Eight Grade (5 Units)
Elementary School Units = 21
 Kindergarten (1 Unit)
 First Grade (2 Units)
 Second Grade (3 Units)
 Third Grade (3 Units)
 Fourth Grade (4 Units)
 Fifth Grade (2 Units)
 Sixth Grade (6 Units)
Grand Total History-Social Science Units = 45

7. THE EEI DIFFERENCE
 New SBE-Approved
Instructional Material
 Textbook Alignment
 Replacement Strategy
 English Language Development
 Differentiated Instruction
 Traditional and Alternative
Assessment
 Extensions and Unit Resources

8. EEI Curriculum Components
Teacher’s Edition Teacher’s Masters Student Workbook

9. Vocabulary & Alphabet Cards
Word Wall Cards
National
Geographic
Society
Wall Map
Big Book - Kindergarten

10. California Connections – Information Cards – Reader – Dictionary –
Third Grade High School Second Fourth
Grade Grade
EEI CURRICULUM ONLINE

11. 10.4.1 HISTORY-SOCIAL SCIENCE
NEW IMPERIALISM: THE SEARCH FOR NATURAL RESOURCES
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12. 12

13. 13

14. 14

15. 15

16. 16

17. 17

18. 18

19. 19

20. 20

21. 22

22. 25

23. 26

24. 27

25. 28

26. 29

27. 30

28. 31

29. 32

30. EEI IMPLEMENTATION
GOAL
100% of
California School Districts
have the opportunity to
obtain and implement
the EEI Curriculum by 2014

31. 
EEI’S CALIFORNIA REACH
Map Graphic

32. 35
EARLY ADOPTER TARGETS

33. LAUNCHING THE
EEI CURRICULUM
2010/2011 School Year
100 Districts
2011/2012 School Year
320 Districts
2012/2013 School Year
320 Districts
2013/2014 School Year
319 Districts
TOTAL: 1059 Districts

34. THE NEXT ESSENTIAL STEPS
 Outreach and Education
 Online and Digital Versions
 School District Recruitment
 Professional Development
 Printing & Distribution
 Evaluation
 Long-Term Sustainability

35. TOGETHER WE HAVE
THE POTENTIAL TO:
Increase environmental
literacy of our students

36. TOGETHER WE HAVE
THE POTENTIAL TO:
Encourage responsible
stewardship of
California’s resources

37. TOGETHER WE HAVE
THE POTENTIAL TO:
Prepare tomorrow’s
leaders for the
changing world

38. TOGETHER WE HAVE
THE POTENTIAL TO:
Provide a model for the
rest of the nation and
abroad

39. The California EEI…a seed for increasing
environmental literacy
“Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am
prepared to expect wonders”
Henry David Thoreau

40. CONTACTS
Bryan Ehlers, Assistant Secretary for Education and Quality Programs, Cal/EPA
behlers@CalEPA.ca.gov | 916.323.0300
Mindy Fox, Director, Office of Education and the Environment, Cal/EPA
mfox@CalEPA.ca.gov | 916.341.6771
The Education and the Environment Initiative
Office of Education and the Environment, Cal/EPA
1001 I Street or PO Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812-2815
office phone: 916.341.6769
office fax: 916.319.7544
www.CaliforniaEEI.org