ATLANTA —Students in Georgia schools could soon have more opportunities to study outdoors instead of inside a classroom.
The state Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that calls for a pilot program that incorporates outdoor learning spaces at K-8 schools chosen by the state Department of Education.
The vote was unanimous, and the bill now heads to Gov. Brian Kemp after it previously passed the House.
“I was able to benefit greatly from an outdoor classroom at North Habersham Middle School,” said state Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia. “Today’s students should also benefit from that same opportunity.”
State Sen. Sheikh Rahman, D-Lawrenceville, said time away from the confines of school buildings will help students.
“Our kids now, they spend so much time on the computer. They don’t go outside,” Rahman said. “The whole idea is getting children to spend more time outside with nature. It’s good for obesity and mental health. There will be a lot of benefits.”
Under Senate Bill 148, the outdoor education pilot program will last at least three school years, and then state legislators will evaluate its impact.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat, an initiative of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.