Connections to Learning

Fact Sheet
School Facilities
WHAT

ARE SCHOOL FACILTIES?

Successful teaching and learning to takes place in school buildings that are
clean, quiet, safe, comfortable, and healthy (Blagojevich, Illinois Capital
Development Board, & Illinois State Board of Education, 2006). Buildings that are
not properly maintained have the potential to inhibit student success due to one or
more deficiencies in the facility. Indoor Air Quality, ventilation and thermal
comfort, lighting, acoustics, building age and quality, school size, and class size,
are among the environmental concerns that can impede teacher satisfaction and
student success (Blagojevich, 2006).
In addition, quality education also
strengthens communities (Blagojevich, 2006).
Students, teachers, staff, and administrators all are affected by the physical
environment. (Blagojevich, 2006). In order to make school improvements,
educators need to look at six major contributing factors that effect the
environment of the school.
Poor indoor air quality is proven to affect student absenteeism and continue
to make both student and teachers sick (Blagojevich, 2006). Both students and
teachers cannot perform up to standard if the working conditions are not up to par.
Teacher time was lost because of the health problems, which include asthma,
respiratory problems, and sinus infections (EPA, 2006). All three health-related
problems are in connection with poor indoor air quality.
Ventilation and thermal quality are two more environmental factors that
impact both teachers and students (Filardo, Vincent, Sung, & Stein, 2006). Fresh
air is important for all buildings, yet most schools lack proper ventilation systems,
which deter students from working to their full capacity. Children are the most
effected by poor ventilation systems because they breathe in a greater volume of
air in proportion to their body weight compared to adults (Filardo et al, 2006). Due
to poor ventilation conditions, students suffer from increased drowsiness,
headaches, and inability to concentrate (Filardo, et al, 2006). In addition, students
performance in reasoning, typing, and math declines (Schneider, 2002). Thermal
quality effects comfort, which in turn affects students and teachers by, reduced
effort, lower effectiveness in class, low morale, and reduce job satisfaction (Moglia,
Smith, MacIntosh, & Somers, 2006). Teachers that claim to have the ability to
control the temperature in their classroom, show higher satisfaction rates along
with an increase in student performance (Moglia et al, 2006).
In individual classrooms, lighting and acoustics play a role in a successful
learning environment.
Research has proven that proper lighting, including

daylight, improves test scores, reduces off-task behavior, and increases student
achievement (EPA, 2006). Also increasing student achievement is acoustics.
Consistency in research has shown that good acoustics equals good academic
performances from students (EPA, 2006). Reading, spelling, behavior, attention,
and concentration all increase in schools with proper acoustics (EPA, 2006).
Schools that have excessive noises and/or outside distractions reflect students
display of stress and dissatisfaction in the classroom.

Connections to Learning
Fact Sheet
School Facilities contd.
HOW

RELATE TO CONNECTIONS TO LEARNING?

Research links the importance of having a properly maintained school to
community well-being (IAQ Symposium, 2006). Schools help the quality of life in
the community along with giving a sense of vitality to the neighborhood.
DO SCHOOL FACILITIES

RESEARCH AND EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICES/PROGRAMS

Research shows that age, capacity, and size are important factors to
consider when looking at a school facility; however, all factors have other
contributing factors that may play a part in the results (Schneider, 2003). In
general, the research shows that age, capacity, and size play a role in
environmental concerns; however, more research needs to be conducted about
how much of a role they play and empirical evidence should be provided when
coming to a conclusion (IAQ Symposium, 2006).

School Facilities Citations & Resources

Blagojevich, R.R., Illinios Capital Development Board, & Illinois State Board of
Education.
(2006).Illinois resource guide for health, high performing school
buildings. IL, Healthy Schools Campaign.
Filardo, M.W., Vincent, J.M., Sung, P., & Stein, T. (2006). Growth and disparity : A
decade of U.S. public school construction. Building Educational Success Together
(BEST).
Moglia, D., Smith, A., MacIntosh, D.L., & Somers, J.L. (2006). Prevalence and
implementation of IAQ programs in U.S. schools.
Environmental Health
Perspectives, 114(1).

Schneider, M. (2003). Linking school facility conditions to teacher satisfaction and

success.
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.
Washington DC.
www.edfacilities.org
Schneider, M. (2002). Do school facilities affect academic outcomes? National
Clearinghouse for Educational facilities. Washington, DC. www.edfacilities.org
www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek06/0811/0811energyinschools.com
using daylighting)

(Guide

to

www.ashrae.org (Thermal Comfort)

www.cashnet.org/resource-center/resourcefiles/127.pdf
www.chps.net (Best Practice Manual)

Connections to Learning

http://www.cpre.org/publications/rr51.pdf (what large-scale survey research tells us

about teacher effects on student achievement)
www.daylighting.org

Fact Sheet

School Facilities Citations & Resources contd.

http://www.edfacilities.org/pubs/outcomes.pdf (do school facilities affect academic
outcomes?)
www.ehponline.com (Environmental Health Perspective)
www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/basicinformation.htm
Environment Assessment Tool)

(Healthy

School

www.epa.gov (Best Practices for School Facility)

www.iaqsymposium.com
(Environmental Protection Agency) (EPA), (2006).
Envisioning excellence: Lessons from effective school indoor air quality programs.
www.iawsymposium.com/excellence (Envisioning
Effective School Indoor Air Quality Programs)

Excellence

Lessons

www.newbuildings.org
www.pge.com (daylighting in schools)
www.rebuild.org/Lawson/attachments/essbestpracticeshighperfschools.pdf

from

http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/txbess/turnoverrpt.pdf (the cost of teacher

turnover)