Teacher perceptions of the classroom environment: A survey of school teachers in New York State (NYS) Public Schools, 2009

The NYS Department of Health and NYS United Teachers recently conducted a survey of teachers in non-New York City public schools. The purpose of the survey was to learn about perceptions of classroom environmental conditions that may impact teacher health and performance. Project staff and collaborators conducted a random statewide telephone survey of teachers to assess the following classroom attributes: indoor air quality (IAQ), housekeeping, climate, lighting and acoustics. Teachers were also asked questions about their health symptoms and home environment. Among the 501 teachers responding, the most commonly reported classroom IAQ problems were dust (59%), dust reservoirs (42%), art supply odors (32%), moisture problems (28%) and construction (25%). Sixty-nine percent reported adequate storage and most reported good condition of flooring. Most (81%) reported enough fresh air, but 47% thought the room was too hot at times. Control of temperature via thermostat was reported by 31%. Most (81%) said that windows provided enough light, that the lighting intensity was “about right” (90%) and that they could control glare (90%). Sources of excessive noise included nearby classrooms or hallways (32%) and the heating and ventilation system (21%). Leading health symptoms included sinus problems (22%) and allergies/congestion (21%), and 9.6% reported current asthma. With respect to home characteristics, 51% reported living near busy roadways and 66% reported having a pet. This information about the classroom will be analyzed with respect to the health-related and home information to assess the relationship between the school building environment and teacher well-being.