Green Schools

Evidence has accumulated that shows that the quality of indoor environments can affect the health and productivity of adults and children. One consequence is that a movement has emerged to promote the design of schools that have fewer adverse environmental effects. To examine the potential of such design for improving education, several private organizations asked the NRC to review and assess the health and productivity benefits of green schools. This report provides an analysis of the complexity of making such a determination; and an assessment of the potential human health and performance benefits of improvements in the building envelope, indoor air quality, lighting, and acoustical quality. The report also presents an assessment of the overall building condition and student achievement, and offers an analysis of and recommendations for planning and maintaining green schools including research considerations. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Complexity of the Task and the Committee's Approach 3 Building Envelope, Moisture Management, and Health 4 Indoor Air Quality, Health, and Performance 5 Lighting and Human Performance 6 Accoustical Quality, Student Learning, and Teacher Health 7 Building Characteristics and the Spread of Infectious Diseases 8 Overall Building Condition and Student Achievement 9 Processes and Practices for Planning and Maintaining Green Schools 10 Linking Green Schools to Health and Productivity: Research Considerations Bibliography Appendix: Biographies of Committee Members