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Advocating for Greener Schools

In recent years, "going green" has not only become an integral part of our personal lives, but an important part of the school community. Many schools are now taking a greener approach that includes building eco-friendly structures to purchasing non-toxic supplies for classrooms. Does "going green" have a real benefit to education? Studies say it does.

The National Research Council (NRC), a non-profit institution that provides science, technology, and health policy, recently conducted an extensive study on the link between green schools, student health, and academic performance.

The study focused mainly on school infrastructure and how environmental improvements can positively affect student health and learning. The research concluded that building infrastructure, ventilation, lighting, and noise levels do impact student learning. Schools with structural problems such as moisture, dampness, and mold can also contribute to upper respiratory infections and asthma. These health problems can be linked to student and teacher absenteeism. Dryer, more structurally sound buildings provide energy efficiency and require less money to maintain. Ventilation, if poor, can also be linked to respiratory problems.

The study also found that schools that are able to reduce outside noise pollution have been shown to increase student test scores. Students are better able to concentrate, and hear their teachers, therefore performing better on tests. Finally, the NRC, found that several previously conducted studies showed that schools that make building and structural improvements can see measurable improvements in student achievement scores. There are many ways you can advocate for an eco-friendly school. The seven steps below, adapted from Eco-Schools International, can help you advocate for a greener school that students, teachers, parents, and the community can enjoy.

Create an Eco-Committee
An eco-committee can organize and lead activities at your school. The committee should include students, teachers, school faculty and staff members, school board members and parents. The committee can organize green activities, make recommendations to school officials, and act as a liaison between the school and the community.
Adopt a Mission Statement
With the help of the students and the entire school community, create an environmental vision statement that sets out what your school wants to achieve. Display the mission statement in various locations in the school as a statement of intent.
Conduct an Environmental Audit
Review the environmental impact of the school. Enlist the help of students to help with the audit by assessing the amount of lunch waste, checking bathroom faucets for leaks, and the amount of paper being thrown away instead of being recycled.
Create an Action Plan
Using the results of your audit, identify key areas where you would like to make changes. Create an action plan. Be sure to set realistic goals to improve your school so students, teachers, and parents can take pride in the school's accomplishments. Create some long-term goals that challenge you to make greater environmental improvements. Some examples may include the establishment of a school recycling plan, the use of non-toxic materials, carpooling, or creating a school garden.
Monitor Your Progress
The eco-committee should meet periodically to evaluate the plan. Conduct periodic audits to monitor the school's environmental impact. This ensures the action plan is on target and that environmental education is an on-going process.
Integrate Environmental Education into the Curriculum
Environmental activities can be incorporated into existing subjects such as art, humanities, math, language arts, or other electives. They offer students opportunities for real-word problem-solving. Students can study such themes as energy, water conservation, pollution, and waste.
Recognize and Celebrate Your Achievements
Recognize and celebrate achieving your school's eco-goals. Partner with community groups and local government organizations to create community-wide environmental programs. Publicize your program to keep the school and community informed of your school's progress. Use newsletters, classroom displays, or other media coverage. Consider having an annual Earth Day celebration to showcase your school's achievements.