Full Citation

Title: Energy-Efficient ("Green") Public School Buildings and their Effects on Student Learning Outcomes

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2017

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Abstract: This paper examines the effects of the Energy Star building labeling program, particularly as it pertains to public school buildings. The stated goals of this program include increasing sustainability and reducing energy costs. Said improvements, such as improving ventilation systems, enhancing temperature control, and adding more sunlight, have been shown to improve building values and rents in the corporate sector. I examine whether a similar effect exists for green public school buildings, focusing on factors such as school and district enrollment, school and district graduation rates, and, additionally for California, standardized test scores. I present evidence that green schools may serve as a signaling mechanism to attract more affluent students. I also show that green schools increase English Language Arts standardized test scores by 3.4 percent, and Mathematics scores by 4.4 percent, even after controlling for factors such as parental education levels and students receiving free lunch. Results on graduation rates are mixed, and small, at best. These findings suggest that sustainable buildings could contribute to improving student performance through higher enrollments and student achievement.

Url: http://marquisemcgraw.com/files/greenschools_paper.pdf

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Authors: McGraw, Marquise J

Publisher: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Education, Land Use/Urban Organization, Natural Resource Management

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