Today, NRPA members are joining education advocates and families around the country and asking Congress to provide the highest level of funding possible for better schools, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming, and hands-on, environmental education at park and recreation agencies.

As a part of the nationwide effort to support Title IV of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which allows schools to partner with park and recreation agencies to give at-risk students access to outdoor education, computer science, math and earth science classes, we're contacting every member of Congress. 

Everyday park and recreation agencies help close the education gap for millions of children who are at risk of falling behind in the classroom or dropping out of school altogether. But this crucial work wouldn't happen without funding provided by Title IV. 

Among many changes, Title IV:

• Expands access to hands-on environmental education for the first time
• Increases exposure to STEM classes and improves digital literacy efforts
• Integrates arts and civics education into STEM programming (STEM to STEAM)
• Provides a well-rounded learning environment for at-risk students. 

We need your help to spread the word on Capitol Hill. Tell your representatives that robust funding for Title IV is critical for park and recreation agencies to continue providing safe and supportive learning environments where children can access technology and environmental education. 

Oliver Spurgeon is NRPA's Government Affairs Manager.