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Research suggests good indoor air quality helps students perform better, but that's sadly not what's experienced in many classrooms.

Just under two-thirds (64 percent) of K-12 educators in the United States rate the air quality of their classrooms as "unsatisfactory," according to the Clean Air Survey of North American Educators. What's also bad is that 83 percent of teachers surveyed said they are worried that poor indoor air quality contributes to respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. 

To make matters worse, infrastructure isn't often great in schools. For example, the Houston Independent School District had more than 1,600 HVAC-related work orders in just one month this past spring, forcing the district to invest $21 million, according to District Administration. In an opinion piece for District Administration, Kelsey Herring, director of sustainability and government relations at Armstrong World Industries, suggested changes that could be made to improve the state of IAQ in schools.

Herring says that by making smarter use of building systems, conducting sustainable renovations, and providing integrated design, schools can improve health and save on costs. Changes Herring suggests includes:

- Optimizing ceiling systems for efficiency and health.
- Upgrading HVAC systems while also making ceiling, wall, and envelop improvements.
- Design schools with better layouts and interior features to reduce reliance on mechanical systems.
- Implement decarbonization and energy-efficiency targets.

For more of Herring's opinion click here.