Healthy School Environments
More than 53 million children spending a significant portion of their day in the classroom, poor indoor air quality can pose health risks in schools for both students and staff and lead to asthma attacks, decreased performance and diminished concentration.
AASA began its work on healthy school environments and indoor air quality in 1992 and continues to work with school districts across the nation to elevate the importance of a healthy school environment. Poor indoor air quality is a serious risk to children’s health and academic performance. To prepare schools for children, this program promotes holistic improvements to the school environment, while educating students and staff. Funded through a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, AASA provides outreach, technical assistance, national presentations, training opportunities, virtual seminars and other resources through this project.
AASA Healthy School Environment Resources
View a list of resources generated from AASA’s effort to support school leaders committed to creating healthy school environments.
Additional Healthy School Resources
Learn about resources available from other organizations and government agencies working to increase awareness of this issue among school leaders.
What's New?
Congratulations UHSC members: Memphis City Schools, the School District of Philadelphia, and Spokane School District 81!--AASA would like to recognize Memphis City Schools and the School District of Philadelphia for being part of 5 featured school districts for the 10th Annual EPA Tools for Schools Symposium (January 14-16, 2010). In addition, Memphis City Schools (MCS) is the recipient of a 2009 EPA Tools for Schools Leadership Award, and Spokane Public Schools is the recipient of the 2009 EPA TfS Model of Sustained Excellence Award.
Building Success, Leading Change: Stories of Healthy School Environments-- The latest edition of this publication explores the parallels between urban and rural school districts that have successfully implemented and sustained a healthy learning environment by addressing indoor air quality. Read how the North East Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas and Auburn City Schools of Auburn, Alabama have become successful in achieving a healthy school environment. Click here to get the latest edition, or contact Yasmin Bowers, ybowers@aasa.org, for a hard copy.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Resource Collection
This Resource Collection provides school system leaders with a comprehensive list of facts, resources, policies, case studies and specific steps to take to improve IAQ.
Green Schools and Indoor Air Quality PresentationAASA Healthy School Environments has released a new slideshow presentation, "Green Schools and Indoor Air Quality--Improving efficiency and health."The presentation is an educational tool for healthy school environments.The information on these slides address the state of indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy usage within schools. In addition, these slides address how environmentally-friendly initiatives can exist within an IAQ management program.
This tool is made available to school district leaders who can share it with their staff as they continue efforts to ensure a safe, healthy, and energy efficient school environment.We have made this tool available in several formats to meet your needs.
Check out the YouTube video OR View and Download a PDF
AASA Offers Customized Indoor Air Quality Programming
Do you need to improve the indoor air quality of the schools in your district? Are you looking to direct your staff to reliable assistance and training in pest management, HVAC standards and proper maintenance? Do you know what choices to make to ensure that your students’ learning environments are the best suited for active engagement, asthma control and improved test scores? AASA offers its members and their district staff technical assistance, information and networking opportunities proven to help school districts start and sustain customized indoor air quality programs. Complete the Indoor Air Quality Technical Assistance Form (PDF) for individualized assistance and information for your district.
Rural District IAQ Success Stories
AASA is seeking rural school districts that have either started or improved their indoor air quality programs. If you have something to share with other rural districts or want to submit your information for possible publication in a future edition of Building Success, Leading Change: Stories of Healthy School Environments, give us a brief synopsis about how you have either created or improved your district’s indoor air quality program. We’d like to know how you did it and what makes it great! To share your district’s information or submit your story for publication, please complete the Rural Indoor Air Quality Success Story Submission Form.
2008 EPA Excellence Awards
AASA members were recently awarded several prestigious Excellence Awards at the 9th Annual IAQ Tools for Schools National Symposium. Read more about the recipients and how they improved indoor air quality and student health in their district. Click here to learn about the AASA member districts who have received awards in previous years.
Do you have a story to tell? Let AASA Know!
Read more and submit your success story today!
AASA Launches Rural Healthy Schools Coalition
Are you the superintendent of a rural school? Join a network of superintendents called the Rural Healthy Schools Coalition and let your voice be heard! Learn more about the Coalition and how you can join.
Mike King, former board member of East Valley School District in Spokane, Wash., speaks about the importance of a healthy school environment. (Windows Media/QuickTime)
Staff Contact:
Yasmin Bowers
703-875-0759
ybowers@aasa.org