Green Action Curriculum Conference At ECHS A Smash Success

GREEN ACTION CURRICULUM CONFERENCE AT ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL BRINGS CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO LOS ANGELES

Ten Schools To Participate in State-Funded Training on “How to Go Green”

August 1, 2009 – Lawndale, CA, Environmental Charter High School (ECHS), an award-winning public charter school, is hosting the first Green Action Curriculum Conference August 13-14^th 2009 at its Lawndale, California campus.  The conference will train and educate teachers from across California how to “Go Green” by implementing a model of environmental-action-themed academic programs developed at Environmental Charter High School.  These programs, such as ECHS’ Green Ambassadors, help inspire and motivate students and thereby improve academic performance, particularly among challenged population segments.

Participating educators will learn how academic results at their schools can be improved by extending learning beyond the classroom walls through partnerships with community organizations and using methods like outdoor education field trips to complement their current academic curricula.  California public schools from across the state have representatives registered to attend, and will also collaborate

The State of California Board of Education selected Environmental Charter High School to help other public schools by sharing its instructional modules as a successful model for reducing achievement-gaps in California's K-12 public education system.  The program is funded by California’s Public Charter Schools Grant Program.

Among the scheduled speakers during the two day event are Alison Suffet-Diaz, Founder of ECHS, Sara Laimon, Director of ECHS’ Green Ambassadors program and recipient of the Educator of the Year award from Green Technology magazine, and Dave Hendry, President of Real Curriculum, two–time winner of George Foster Peabody Award for documentary and educational video productions.

Environmental Charter High School: (http://www.echsonline.org) is a public charter high school serving Lawndale and surrounding communities in south Los Angles.   ECHS offers a rigorous college prep program that is made relevant by guiding students to critically examine and take action to solve environmental challenges in their local communities.  U.S. News & World Report ranked ECHS in the top 3% of high schools in the nation for its ability to deliver college-ready graduates from its community.   The award-winning high school has outperformed 80% of comparable high schools in its state API ranking – a key performance indicator.

ECHS’ Green Ambassador Program (http://www.greenambassadors.org) is an environmental education program that empowers youth to be agents of change in their communities and the world. Through service learning, community partnerships, and cross-cultural and global exchange, the program fosters personal growth and leadership skills to help youth tackle the most critical environmental issues facing our planet.  The program has been featured on the Sundance Film Channel, Elevate Film Festival, EPA Environmental Awards, NPR and other local and national media.