The Denver-Based Education Nonprofit was a
Driving Force Behind the Diploma Endorsement Legislation in
Colorado
DENVER, May 22, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Lyra, the Denver-based nonprofit that incubates and
accelerates high-impact initiatives that tackle some of the biggest
challenges facing education, is celebrating the signing of one of
its signature legislative initiatives in Colorado, Senate Bill 24-014 ("Seal of Climate
Literacy Diploma Endorsement").
Sponsored by Colorado Sen.
Chris Hansen and Colorado Rep.
Barbara McLachlan, SB24-014
authorizes school districts and other local education providers in
Colorado to offer a diploma
endorsement that recognizes students who have achieved climate
literacy by completing a high school science class and another
course that touch on issues related to climate change, combined
with hands-on experiential learning that will help them be better
prepared for college, the military or the workforce. Individual
school districts will maintain local control of the endorsement by
determining what course work and other criteria are required for
their students.
"As a legislator, I spend a lot of time thinking about the
future of Colorado and how we are
preparing youth for jobs in an economy increasingly impacted by the
changing climate," said Colorado
Sen. Chris Hansen. "The legislation
establishing a Seal of Climate Literacy is one way that we can make
sure that high school students, not just in areas like Denver but across the state, are being exposed
to and starting to prepare for these new career opportunities. I am
excited that Colorado can pave the
way on legislation that has applications to states across the
country."
"Young people will bear the brunt of climate change, which will
create significant personal and professional changes for
Coloradans, including farmers, ranchers, outdoor recreation
industry employees and oil and gas workers," said Mary Seawell, founder and CEO of Lyra. "To
support these students, Lyra has helped champion Colorado Senate Bill 24-014, the 'Seal of
Climate Literacy' diploma endorsement for high school students who
have met certain academic requirements in the areas of coursework
and a hands-on learning project, such as a capstone or
internship."
Later this week, the first Colorado students to receive the diploma
endorsement include 15 students from Durango High School and one
student from Big Picture High School.
"We are honored to be the first district in Colorado to confer the Seal of Climate
Literacy to our very deserving students. These students are
committed to making a positive impact on their environment, their
community and our planet," said Dr. Karen
Cheser, Superintendent of Durango 9-R in Southwest Colorado. "We expect that many of
them will go on to work in environmental science, building green
skills and supporting a sustainable society. They are exemplifying
our Durango School District
Portrait of a Graduate competencies."
Students from Durango 9-R were
already well poised to receive the Seal of Climate Literacy this
spring thanks to their leadership of Green Teams and Earth Day
efforts within their high school.
Weiming Lambert, a graduating
senior at Durango High School who will receive the Seal of Climate
Literacy, reflected on what the diploma endorsement signifies to
them, "Taking the classes and completing the projects to receive
the Seal of Climate Literacy empowers students to become
environmental leaders. It teaches students skills and knowledge so
we can advocate for sustainable practices within our communities,
which drives positive environmental change, creating a more equal
future for everyone."
Aisha O'Neil, also a graduating
senior at Durango High School who will receive the diploma
endorsement this spring, has led the school's Green Team and more
recently launched a statewide student network called Good Trouble.
She shares, "Being awarded the Seal of Climate Literacy both made
me feel as though my work for the environment is truly valued in my
community and that I can find a real career path within this
passion."
Students perceive attainment of the Seal of Climate Literacy
could also translate to better job prospects. Natalie Obleton, a graduating senior at Durango
High School and member of the Good Trouble Climate Collective,
shared, "Many businesses strive to become more sustainable but do
not have the time nor the resources to educate themselves on how to
do so. The Seal of Climate Literacy can appeal to a very wide range
of jobs since it shows that you have the knowledge and the
qualifications to make environmentally informed decisions for your
workplace."
This student voice was the driving force for Colorado Rep.
McLachlan to co-sponsor SB 24-014 this legislative session.
"When students are engaged in a subject, really engaged, their
comprehension, curiosity and achievement soar. The students
pursuing a Seal of Climate Literacy diploma have chosen an
educational path that aligns with their future goals," said
Colorado Rep. Barbara McLachlan. "I
am excited to see where they go and what they do with their
knowledge and am so proud of their self-confidence and maturity. It
has been fun to work with them."
Tammie Delaney, a rancher in the
northwest Yampa Valley of the state, recognizes the value of what
this education and experience for students means for rural
communities who are already feeling the impacts of climate
change.
"Growing up in Northwest
Colorado means you are raised knowing how to grow, raise,
produce, process, harvest and enjoy our food, and our agricultural
producers understand the important connection great soil and water
provide for our food systems," said Delaney, owner of the Hayden
Granary. "Youth that know how to raise livestock and grow produce
are indeed part of creating a more economically and environmentally
resilient community, and we are proud that the agricultural
education efforts in our region can be recognized through a Seal of
Climate Literacy."
Helping Colorado Districts and Education Providers Adopt the
Seal of Climate Literacy & Taking the Diploma Endorsement
National
Lyra was instrumental in the drafting and development of this
legislation. With the passage of Colorado Senate Bill 24-014, Seawell said Lyra
is now turning an eye towards helping districts throughout
Colorado to confer the Seal of
Climate Literacy and working with other states in replicating this
legislation to accelerate climate literacy and a younger workforce
to support green jobs.
"We are seeing threats to our way of life and our rural
economies in Colorado and other
states like Colorado that have
significant natural resources," Seawell said. "This is a moment
where we can create and facilitate more opportunity and innovation
for our youth to be a part of the solution to address
it."
About Lyra
Lyra is a nonprofit organization that incubates and accelerates
high-impact initiatives that tackle some of the biggest challenges
facing education. Lyra's focus is on building coalitions and
providing capacity, resources, infrastructure and expertise to
partners with innovative ideas that lead to greater student and
educator success. To achieve this, the organization works directly
with students, teachers, parents, community leaders, industry
caregivers, policymakers and funders. Learn more at
www.lyracolorado.org.
KEY MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mary Seawell
CEO &
Founder, Lyra
mary@lyracolorado.org
720-840-7658
Relationship to Seal of Climate Literacy: Initiator and
co-author of legislation, founder of Lyra, who seeks to support
local education providers in conferring the Seal of Climate
Literacy in Colorado and
beyond
Chris Hansen
Colorado
State Senator, District 31 representing Denver
chris@hansenforcolorado.com
720-243-2546
Relationship to Seal of Climate Literacy: Prime Senate bill
sponsor for SB24-014
Barbara
McLachlan
Colorado State Representative, District 59
representing Archuleta,
La Plata, San Juan and part of Montezuma
rep.mclachlan@gmail.com
303-866-2914
Relationship to Seal of Climate Literacy: House bill
co-sponsor for SB24-014
Aisha O'Neil
Graduating
Senior, Durango High School
aisha.oneil42@gmail.com
Relationship to Seal of Climate Literacy: Testified in
support of the legislation at the House Education Committee and
supported students from a student network she leads, Good Trouble,
to testify. She will be one of the first students in Colorado to receive the Seal of Climate
Literacy as part of her graduation this Friday, May 24, at Durango High School.
Dr. Karen
Cheser
Superintendent, Durango 9-R
kcheser@durangoschools.org
970-247-5411
Relationship to Seal of Climate Literacy: Testified in
support of the legislation in House Education Committee;
Superintendent of the first 16 students to be conferred the Seal of
Climate Literacy on May 23 and
May 24, 2024 in Durango 9-R
Dr. Kirk
Henwood
Superintendent, SOROCO
khenwood@southrouttk12.org
Relationship to Seal of Climate Literacy: Testified in support
of the legislation in Senate Education Committee and supported
students from his district in testifying in front of House
Education Committee
LeeAnn Kittle
Executive
Director - Sustainability, Denver
Public Schools
leeann_kittle@dpsk12.net
Relationship to the Seal of Climate Literacy: Testified on
behalf of Denver Public Schools in
support of the legislation; supported students from DPS in
testifying on behalf of the Seal of Climate Literacy
Tammie Delaney
Owner,
Hayden Granary
tamdelaney@gmail.com
Relationship to the Seal of Climate Literacy: Supporter of
the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship and
Sustainability
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SOURCE Lyra