Education Department To Launch Green Ribbon Schools Program

The United States Department of Education has launched a new program to recognize schools for their sustainability efforts.

The Green Ribbon Schools program--being administered by ED and supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality--will be modeled on the Blue Ribbon Schools program (also administered by ED). But instead of focusing on academic schievement, the program will recognize schools for "energy conservation, creating healthy learning spaces, and teaching environmental literacy," according to information released by the department Tuesday.

"Preparing our children to be good environmental citizens is some of the most important work any of us can do," said Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of education, in a statement released Tuesday. "It's work that will serve future generations and quite literally sustain our world. Environmental literacy is an important part of a well rounded, world-class education. Through the Green Ribbon Schools program, we'll be holding up schools that are leading the way in teaching science and in ways that show students the importance of developing clean energy sources and sustainable solutions for the environment."

"The schools taking part in this initiative will help kids connect what they're learning in science class with the world around them, allowing them to envision solutions to tomorrow's challenges while living healthier lives today," said Lisa P. Jackson, EPA administrator, also in a prepared statement. "By making green living a part of everyday learning, Green Ribbon Schools will prepare our children to win the future by leading our global green energy economy."

The Green Ribbon Schools program will open later this year. ED hasn't set a specific date for the opening of the application period but has indicated that the first recipients will be announced in 2012. Further details will be available on ED's site here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • teenager’s study desk with a laptop displaying an AI symbol, surrounded by books, headphones, a notebook, and a cup of colorful pencils

    Student AI Use on the Rise, Survey Finds

    Ninety-three percent of students across the United States have used AI at least once or twice for school-related purposes, according to the latest AI in Education report from Microsoft.

  • laptop displaying a glowing digital brain and data charts sits on a metal shelf in a well-lit server room with organized network cables and active servers

    Cisco Unveils AI-First Approach to IT Operations

    At its recent Cisco Live 2025 event, Cisco introduced AgenticOps, a transformative approach to IT operations that integrates advanced AI capabilities to enhance efficiency and collaboration across network, security, and application domains.

  • charts and graphs over a softly blurred academic-style background

    New Jersey School District Taps Otus, Discovery Education for Data Insights

    West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in Central New Jersey has partnered with assessment and data platform Otus and ed tech company Discovery Education to better utilize data to support student achievement.