Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools and Academic Performance of Students: Studies from 2004 to Present PDF

A pilot study investigating classroom ventilation rates, and their association with student performance was conducted within a school district in the USA in the spring term 2004. Data on classroom CO2 concentrations were recorded in 5th grade classrooms in fifty four elementary schools. In addition, investigators were able to work with the district to obtain standardized test scores (math and reading), and background data related to the students in the specific classroom studied in each school. Results of the pilot study have been presented by Shaughnessy et al. 2006, demonstrating a modest association between class room ventilation rates and student performance in math standardized test scores, and also a need for further studies with larger sample size and more comprehensive assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ). Preliminary data is being acquired on a new school district in the USA with 50 elementary schools. The new data focus again on the use of CO2 concentrations as a surrogate for ventilation rates. CO2 concentrations were logged over a two day period within typical school day occupancies. Other indicators of the indoor environment related to the investigated classrooms were recorded by checklists incorporating a thorough assessment protocol. Thermal comfort parameters and airborne particle concentrations were also measured for the latest round of schools.

IAQ 2007 Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 14-17, 2007
Units: I-P