In a brief analysis, the NCPA (National Center for Policy Analysis) researched whether or not a recent push to build green and energy efficient schools in the Washington state area "made the grade" in reducing energy cost by 35%, reducing economic cost, reducing absenteeism, and producing improved test scores.
The analysis found that all of the schools included in the research, which had been open and operating for at least one year at the time of the study, failed to deliver the promises in all four categories!
In conclusion, the study offered several explanations for the disappointing, failing grades:
1. Reducing energy cost by 35% was surely based on the most optimistic statistics and estimates in order to help pass legislation for the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.
2. Reducing economic cost: the majority of the new green schools ended up costing significantly more than originally expected, which is largely due to new sets of standards that have to be met to be considered a "green" school. Many of these standards include unnecessary fixtures, such as bike racks, which are seldom utilized.
3. The idea of increasing test scores by providing more natural light seems shady (pun intended) from the beginning. The same goes for reducing the number of absences by increasing student health. It is hard to believe that anybody would assume that only physically sick students make up a school's absences.
Living in (Western) Europe for close to twelve years, I have adopted a green mindset. There, recycling is standard procedure and building green has been the norm.
When I started teaching at the high school level, I was shocked how much paper was thrown away on a weekly basis.
Together with my advanced marketing class, I founded "Recyclone" shortly thereafter.
The students developed a logo and a collection schedule, after creating and filling the various positions of the recycling operation. Later on, we started airing commercials and we started a scholarship fund for disadvantaged students with the recycling proceeds.
To this day, the project is flourishing and most students and faculty members view our "green" enterprise as an enrichment for the school and "something that was long overdue."
I think going "green" is a valuable and necessary mindset.
However, as we can easily see by looking at the NCPA's findings, it starts with the mindset: A school is only as green as its teachers and students!
The case of the mandated bike racks, which sit bike-less, is a perfect example.
Before spending millions on building green schools, we should focus on "building" green students!
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I love the orangutan.
ReplyDeleteThe bike racks are a silly example. Two years ago, the school I was teaching at sponsored a "ride your bike to school day" right around Earth Day. No kidding, I almost took out two little girls as they rode the wrong way down a busy street.
The forumla of
Kids + Bikes + Nashville = Doesn't Work!
But there is so much else that is being done and that there is to do that no school should not think green.