NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The McGraw-Hill Research Foundation and the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), today released a new white paper entitled, The Impact of School Buildings on Student Health and Performance: A Call for Research, at the 2nd Annual Green Schools National Conference in Denver, CO. The Green Schools Conference is dedicated to growing green schools across the nation. The new white paper, co-authored by Lindsay Baker, Researcher, PhD Candidate, University of California, Berkeley (on behalf of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC) and Harvey Bernstein, Vice President, Industry Insights & Alliances for McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, sheds light on the critical need for research around how the school building--through its design, maintenance and operations--impacts the health and performance of the students in those buildings.

The paper explored research from two perspectives: from the lens of the child's experience with their built environment, and from how different stakeholders could play an important role in bringing that research to light.

"We looked at what students experience in their classroom environments and linked that to six types of experiences--how students hear, breathe, see, feel, move, and think and learn," said Harvey Bernstein, Vice President Industry Insights & Alliances for McGraw-Hill Construction. "There are ways that we can design new schools, and invest in improving existing ones, to help improve a child's experience and enable that child to learn, and feel, better."

Schools are a critical part of our society. They are where our children spend their time, where they learn and where they play. And, they also make up the largest area of construction spending. This white paper demonstrates what stakeholders--from teachers to parents to government agencies and more--can do to improve the student learning environments of the future, making a case to use those dollars of construction spending to create the best environments.

"With so many of our country's schools in disrepair, it is critical to highlight the importance of providing our children with healthier, more sustainable educational environments that enhance learning," said Rachel Gutter, Director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. "This paper highlights studies that present clear evidence that the way we build and maintain schools affects how students and teachers breathe, hear, see and learn. At the Center, we're working with partners around the country to facilitate future research that will help us to improve our nation's schools and the well-being of the students who attend them."

To download a copy of The Impact of School Buildings on Student Health and Performance: A Call for Research, please visit The McGraw-Hill Research Foundation, http://www.mcgraw-hillresearchfoundation.org.

About The McGraw-Hill Research Foundation:

The Foundation was established with the support of The McGraw-Hill Companies and is a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hillresearchfoundation.org.

About the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council:

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is how USGBC is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From the kindergartner entering the classroom, to the Ph.D. student performing research in a lab, the Center provides the resources and support to elevate dialogue, accelerate policy and institute innovation toward green schools and campuses. High-performing schools result in high-performing students, and the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information visit centerforgreenschools.org and connect on Twitter and Facebook.

About U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC):

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

SOURCE McGraw-Hill Construction

SOURCE: McGraw-Hill Construction