Absenteeism, Performance and Occupant Satisfaction with the Indoor Environment of Green Toronto Schools

Abstract

This study aimed to compare a number of quantitative and qualitative aspects of usage across a sample of 10 conventional, 20 energy-retrofitted and three green Toronto schools. Student, teacher and staff absenteeism data, as well as Grade 3 and 6 student performance data on reading, writing and arithmetic tests administered by Ontario's Education Quality and Accountability Office were collected. A survey of 150 teachers was conducted to investigate their satisfaction with the indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort and acoustics of their school buildings. The statistical analysis of the data showed that teachers in green schools were in general more satisfied with their classrooms and personal workspaces' lighting, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, heating, ventilation and air conditioning than teachers in the other schools. Nevertheless, they were less satisfied with acoustics. Student, teacher and staff absenteeism in green schools also improved by 2-7.5%, whereas student performance improved by 8-19% when compared with conventional schools. However, these improvements were not statistically significant and could not therefore be generalised to all Toronto public schools. Whether these marginal improvements justify the extra cost premium of green buildings remains an active contentious topic that will need further investigation.

An Evaluation of Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Well-Being in Manitoba School Buildings

“…It is in line with the results of other Canadian school studies (e.g. Issa et al, 2011), thereby reinforcing LEED school occupants' improved perception of IEQ in comparison with other school occupants.…”

“…These results raise concerns that have been raised in the past (e.g. Issa et al, 2011;Lee & Guerin, 2009) about acoustical insulation in LEED schools and the need to further emphasize acoustics in future versions of LEED.…”

“…Another study by Smedje and Norback (2000) in Sweden found that 77% of the schools did not meet building code regulations. In Canada, a study of 33 Toronto schools by Issa et al (2011) using a combination of second-hand absenteeism and student performance data and occupant surveys, found teachers in green schools to be more satisfied with all aspects of IEQ except for acoustics than teachers in other schools. The study found absenteeism to be lower and student performance higher in green schools.…”

A review of human thermal comfort in the built environment

“…A performance comparison between green schools and conventional schools in Toronto, Canada shows that green buildings present improved productivity than conventional ones [381]. In addition, thermal comfort and other IEQ attributes were better at the green schools [381].…”

A quantitative evaluation of indoor environmental quality in refurbished kindergarten buildings: A Malaysian case study

“…Although both adults and children are affected by the poor IEQ, young children are arguably of greater concern due to their susceptible immune systems (Montzamani et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2006;Mendell and Heath, 2004). Among the different physical discomforts derived from poor IEQ, fatigue condition and sick building syndrome have been reported as the most common discomforts in buildings (Musa et al, 2012;Mendell and Heath, 2004;Tarcan and Varol, 2004;Frontczak and Wargocki, 2011;Issa et al, 2011). Studies also show that the health impairment of students and teachers resulting from poor IEQ could influence students' performance, behavior, and productivity (Mendell and Heath, 2004;Treputtharata and Tayiam, 2014;Lee et al, 2012;Earthman, 2004;Huang et al, 2012;Passero andZannin, 2012 andHawes et al, 2012).…”