Green Schools : Attributes for Health and Learning Paperback / softback

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 ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Complexity of the Task and the Committee's Approach3 Building Envelope, Moisture Management, and Health4 Indoor Air Quality, Health, and Performance5 Lighting and Human Performance6 Accoustical Quality, Student Learning, and Teacher Health7 Building Characteristics and the Spread of Infectious Diseases8 Overall Building Condition and Student Achievement9 Processes and Practices for Planning and Maintaining GreenSchools10 Linking Green Schools to Health and Productivity: ResearchConsiderationsBibliographyAppendix: Biographies of Committee Members