Evaluating green attributes in schools and their impact on teachers and students in New York State

Until recently, the green building movement has focused on environmental impacts rather than the potential effects on occupants. The goal of this project, funded by the U.S. Green Building Council, was to assess how green school building attributes individually and collectively can affect occupant performance and health.

The procedure and deliverables of this project included identifying green school attributes using a combination of literature and data; developing a composite Green School Index (GSI) using existing school environmental data; examining the potential impact of green attributes on occupants' performance and health; surveying teachers and nurses; and conducting walk-throughs in ten elementary schools to validate reported building conditions. Green attributes studied included indoor air quality, thermal comfort, dryness, well-maintained systems, cleanliness, acoustics and lighting. Standardized test scores and attendance rates were used to estimate student performance and asthma hospital admission/ER visits were used to measure respiratory health.

An analysis of the 2005 statewide School Building Condition Survey (BCS) indicated that indoor air quality, cleanliness, dryness, and well-maintained systems from the BCS were statistically significantly associated with higher levels of student performance on standardized test scores and attendance after controlling for socioeconomic status (SES). We also assessed if the GSI and student performance/health relationships varied by different SES.

This project will provide valuable information about the school environment and health to school stakeholders and agencies in planning, constructing, renovating, operating and maintaining healthy school buildings.