Md. Board Of Ed. Removes Environmental Ed. Loophole

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland's Board of Education revised a new environmental education requirement to remove what critics complained was a loophole that school districts could use to get around the mandate. 

Critics complained a change made in January would have allowed students to fulfill the requirement by passing existing science and social studies classes. The regulation voted on Tuesday requires school districts to meet environmental education requirements established by the state school board this past fall. 

The Maryland No Child Left Inside Coalition organized a letter-writing campaign against the change. 

Coalition director Don Baugh said Maryland residents support environment education and realize its potential to engage, instruct and ultimately provide employment for students. 

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