A new climate change education bill in Connecticut

Connecticut State House

Connecticut's House Bill 5285 (PDF) would, if enacted, require the teaching of climate change consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards as part of the prescribed course of study in the state's public schools. State law now explicitly allows, but doesn't require, the teaching of climate change consistent with the NGSS, which Connecticut adopted in 2015.

House Bill 5285 was introduced by the Committee on Education, with Bobby Gibson (D-District 15) listed as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Education.

Senate Bill 345 in 2018 originally sought to require the teaching of climate change consistent with the NGSS, but the version that passed the Senate would only have allowed it. Senate Bill 345 died without receiving a House vote. House Bill 5360 in 2018 was amended to allow the teaching of climate change consistent with the NGSS and was enacted.

Glenn Branch
Short Bio

Glenn Branch is Deputy Director of NCSE.

branch@ncse.ngo