An environmental literacy plan creates the framework for standards, achievement, professional development, assessment, and leadership for individuals and organizations to thrive and achieve innovation in education.

Here is what the Bill to create the No Child Left Inside grants calls for within ELPs

Language in the Bill for Specific Requirements for an Environmental Literacy Plan
1) Language has been kept fairly flexible in order to mesh with NCLB language
2) Plans must include:
1 – A description of how the state agencies will measure the environmental literacy of students.
2 - Content standards and how they relate to environmental literacy.
3 - A description of programs for professional development of teachers. (key piece)
4 – Must address the relationship of the plan to graduation requirements. (Penn. Has an environmental ecology requirement, CA requires programs through legislation.)
5 – A description of how the plan will be implemented
6 – Peer Review: All Senate and House sponsors and Dept of Ed. sponsors agree – peer review remains in the legislation. The plan must specify who will be involved in review and it should include stakeholders such as State Education agencies, non-profits, federal agencies, etc. The peer review group may recommend changes or clarifications. There will be time elements in the plan to follow. The coalition will work with the Dept. of Ed. on this. The review will help ensure the plan is valid and has been reviewed as such!

See Connections to Schools and Districts, Connections to Community Education, and Professional Development for more information about required aspects of the plan.