Climate Literacy Resolutions and What It Takes to Pass Them: Los Angeles Unified School District

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Sixteen
  In Roundtable Session: Knowledges, Policies, and Instruction in Climate Education (Table 9)

Abstract

Teaching climate change in schools can help students critically examine the issues and solutions. Unfortunately, teachers do not consistently cover it, and science teachers usually do the heavy lifting. The Los Angeles Unified School District recently passed a Climate Literacy Resolution that commits to teaching climate change in all schools, all subjects, and all grades. Through interviews with key contributors to the adoption process, this presentation showcases how the policy was developed and approved. Using the Advocacy Coalition Framework and social movements theory in a local education setting, findings stress the importance of building local support and using momentum from shifting public opinion. Additionally, this study provides insights for other communities interested in climate change literacy policies.

Authors

• Laurel Kruke, University of Southern California
  Presenting Author

• Gale M. Sinatra, University of Southern California
  Non-Presenting Author

• Julie A. Marsh, University of Southern California
  Non-Presenting Author