Grantee Research Project Results
2015 Progress Report: Balancing Sustainability, Clean Air, Healthy Learning Interiors, and Structural Safety when Designing and Building Schools
EPA Grant Number: R835634Title: Balancing Sustainability, Clean Air, Healthy Learning Interiors, and Structural Safety when Designing and Building Schools
Investigators: Holliday, Lisa M. , Lynch, Robert A. , Johnson, David L , Floyd, Evan , Wachter, Hans-Peter , Wang, Jun , Keesee, Marguerite , Magzamen, Sheryl
Current Investigators: Holliday, Lisa M. , Lynch, Robert A. , Magzamen, Sheryl , Keesee, Marguerite , Wachter, Hans-Peter , Floyd, Evan , Wang, Jun , Johnson, David L
Institution: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Colorado State University
Current Institution: University of Oklahoma , Colorado State University , University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2018 (Extended to October 31, 2019)
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2014 through October 31,2015
Project Amount: $984,175
RFA: Healthy Schools: Environmental Factors, Children’s Health and Performance, and Sustainable Building Practices (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health
Objective:
The project objective is to determine quantitatively how each building feature relates to student and teacher performance and how each feature is inter-related.Progress Summary:
Overall, the Oklahoma Healthy Schools project has completed the majority of it Year 1 objectives. Major accomplishments include:
- The development of a partnership with the Oklahoma City and Edmond Public School districts as participants in this project representing approximately 125 schools.
- OU IRB approval for all Year 1 activities with the most recent submission including the teacher and parent building assessment surveys, the building assessment field investigation and the air quality monitoring component currently under review by the EPA. We will seek approval for the final phase of the project which encompasses the Parent and teacher health survey in Year 2.
- The formation of a Community Advisory Board (CAB) with membership comprised of representatives from all major public education stakeholders including representatives from local school boards, teacher associations, school personnel (faculty, principals, and nurses), parents, students, school administration, school architects, the OKC MAPS office, the Oklahoma Department of Education and the State Department of Health. The CAB has met monthly beginning with the initial kick-off meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2015.
- A building assessment tool of key features has been developed beginning with the completion of an extensive literature review of current research in the area of building design and student achievement. After the preliminary list of features was developed from the literature review a project research staff, consulting architects and the CAB operationalized measurements for each building feature and ensured the assessment tool was clear of jargon allowing successful use by lay persons. The building assessment field guide was piloted at a middle school in the Edmond school district in mid-September. The tool is currently in the process of being refined based on findings from the pilot test and field research staff trained on its use. Field investigations will formally begin in October, 2015.
- Key informant interviews with professionals engaged in building and/or renovating schools in the Edmond and OKC school district were conducted during the summer and fall of 2015. Potential key informants were identified by the OKHS CAB with 14 agreeing to complete the 1 to 2 hour interview. Information was gathered on the process used by school districts to determine what renovations or new builds are to be done and what factors affect cuts to original building plans and designs and what feature at a higher risk of being cut. The majority of interviews have been transcribed and the coding process started in September 2015.
- Spanish and English building assessment surveys to be completed by teachers and parent/guardians have been developed. Both teacher and parent building assessment surveys were deployed in September of 2015 and research staff are currently in process of collecting data and following up initial samples to increase response rates. It is anticipated that surveying will be completed by early Spring, 2016.
- The equipment needed for air quality testing has been purchased and demonstrated to the CAB and other school stakeholders. Additionally, a preliminary list of schools to be tested for air quality has been established based on the information given by the CAB and will be further refined based on survey results.
- The Data Quality Assurance Plan has been developed and approved.
Future Activities:
Key activities for Year 2 include:
- The continued field assessment of school building features and compilation of feature data.
- The coding and analysis of key informant interviews with results submitted for publication.
- Air quality testing in 12 elementary schools.
- Development and implementation of health surveys for parents, school personnel in the 12 classrooms that are tested for air quality. IRB approval from both OU and the EPA will be obtained before this phase of the study is implemented.
- Initial analysis of data from test scores will begin to identify significant gains or declines in test score data due to school building renovations and/or new builds.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 17 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Wachter H-P, Holiday L, Hoehn C, Walter R. Building safe and healthy schools. Educational Facility Planner 2015;48(2&3):47-51. |
R835634 (2015) R835634 (2016) R835634 (2017) |
Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
Community Advisory Board, air quality monitoring, key Informant, building features, field building assessment tool, renovations, new buildings, schools, indoor airRelevant Websites:
Oklahoma Healthy Schools Project ExitProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.