Tennessee has joined the ranks of states that have completed an environmental literacy plan for students K-12. The plan includes recommendations for a new high school graduation requirement, correlations for existing science and social studies standards with environmental education standards provided by the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE), and guidelines for professional development. 

An environmental literacy plan is an important step to ensure that Tennessee students graduate with an understanding of the complex ecological, social, economic and cultural processes that influence the health of their state and the world at large. An environmentally literate student should have the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions and to become environmental stewards.