SB 24-014

Senate Bill 24-014, now signed into law and effective from August 7, 2024, allows Colorado high schools to offer a special diploma endorsement called the "Seal of Climate Literacy" to graduating students who show expertise in climate literacy and practical skills related to environmental issues. To earn this seal, students must complete specific courses on climate change and a hands-on project approved by educators or experts in the field. Schools will also track and report data about the program's impact to help improve it over time. This initiative aims to empower young people to address climate challenges in their communities.

Official Summary

The act authorizes a school district, board of cooperative services, district charter high school, institute charter high school, or the Colorado school for the deaf and the blind (local education provider) to grant a high school diploma endorsement in climate literacy (seal of climate literacy) to graduating students who demonstrate mastery in climate literacy and attain green skills or technical green skills. The purpose of the seal of climate literacy is to give a student personal agency to help the student and the student's communities understand or adapt to the effects of climate change. To obtain a seal of climate literacy, a student must complete the minimum high school graduation requirements of the local education provider, successfully complete at least 2 courses in the area of climate literacy selected by the local education provider, and successfully complete a final experiential learning project (final project) that is approved, supported, and facilitated by a climate literacy experiential learning provider (learning provider). The local education provider may collaborate with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, industry leaders, and institutions of higher education to support students' climate literacy. Beginning with students in the sixth grade, each local education provider shall annually notify students and their legal guardians of the requirements for obtaining a seal of climate literacy. On or before July 1, 2025, and every July 1 thereafter, each local education provider shall collect data on the seal of climate literacy, including: The schools that awarded the seal of climate literacy; The number of students who received the seal of climate literacy; The types of final projects students have completed; The names of the learning providers who approve, support, and facilitate students' final projects; A list of academic courses students have completed to earn the seal of climate literacy; and Any other findings related to the seal of climate literacy. On or before October 1, 2025, and every October 1 thereafter, each local education provider shall submit a report to the department of education (department) summarizing the data collected. The department may collaborate with a nonprofit organization to evaluate the data collected and prepare a report summarizing the data. On or before January 15, 2026, and every January 15 thereafter, the department shall submit the report to the house of representatives education committee and the senate education committee, or their successor committees, and the state board of education. The act appropriates $18,749 to the department from the general fund for purposes of the seal of climate literacy. APPROVED by Governor May 23, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes