California earthquake preparedness education

Californians are increasingly aware of the threat of a major earthquake, yet few are prepared to adequately respond should the disaster strike today. This paper focuses on the action of the California State Department of Education in response to the efforts of State Legislature to address this problem. It surveys the extensive variety of curricula developed by state, public, and private agencies that are aimed at enhancing earthquake awareness and preparedness, both in the schools and in the community. The reader will notice the interconnections of earthquakes and tectonics integrated with several thematic strands that are described in the deaft of the new California Science Framework