Green Ribbon Schools - U.S. DOE

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Fact Sheet

As you may have heard, it was an exciting summer at the U.S. Department of Education (ED). ED, with the assistance of a large federal family, developed pilot year criteria for U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, the first comprehensive and coordinated federal policy in the three institutional roles of schools related to environment, health and education. The approach integrates environmental learning with maximizing the positive environmental and health impacts of school facilities.

The recognition award encourages state education authorities and school communities to inform themselves as to energy and resource conservation measures that provide opportunities for cost savings and job creation; environmental and behavioral changes to promote health and productivity among all school occupants; and the use of environmental education to ensure interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between the environment and humans, reinforce STEM content knowledge and thinking skills, and develop students’ civic engagement skills.


The initiative originated from a public request to EPA, ED and CEQ. This led to a concept launch with heads of EPA, ED and CEQ in April, indicating that the pilot year cohort of Green Ribbon Schools would be named in spring 2012. ED spent months developing award criteria and nomination infrastructure, consulting with associations, states, national and local NGOs, school communities, technical experts, the public, and numerous federal partners.

Green Ribbon recognizes schools that strive toward a variety of existing standards, implementing or employing numerous complementary programs and resources. Green Ribbon is nothing new. It simply puts together the disparate pieces of the environmental, health, education, facilities and economic puzzle to help schools consider these issues comprehensively. It is a recognition award, not a federal grant. Recognition awards incent change by communicating high standards and recognizing the most exemplary schools or individuals according to specified criteria.

State education authorities serve as the first line of selection in the school nomination process. State education authorities evaluate schools based on school facilities’ environmental and health impact, and environmental education, and compliance with federal civil rights, health, safety and environmental laws. Based on their evaluation, authorities select nominees to ED.

In September, ED posted finalized pilot year award criteria, including details on eligibility, requirements and nominating authorities, as well as a brief video of the Secretary inviting states and schools to apply for 2011-2012 year awards. This included sufficient application and nomination information for state education authorities to prepare for the nomination process to ED. Following Office of Management and Budget approval of the Nominee Presentation Form, ED will provide a specific deadline for states’ submission of nominees.

The essential task of the pilot year is to inform schools and state education authorities of the Green Ribbon recognition award and connect them with resources that can support their efforts toward high achievement in the three ‘Pillars’ the award identifies. Education officials will need all levels of governmental, non-profit and for-profit private sector support and expertise.

Green Ribbon Schools is a backdrop for a variety of existing resources that can serve to advance education officials’ current goals to cut costs, provide a well-rounded education, increase STEM skills and engagement, foster health and wellness and ensure students’ preparedness for the 21^st century economy. Our nation’s schools can make strides in each of these areas to provide students a holistically sustainable education.

Where to Find Additional Information:
Green Ribbon Schools: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EDGreenRibbonSchools.
Email: green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov.