Almost no educators understand how school buildings can undermine the success of both students and teachers. Lack of fresh air lowers brain function – leading to lower standardized test scores, even among the brightest students.
Generally speaking, there are four generations of school buildings. All have unique features that either help learning, or hurt it. In the oldest generation of buildings, there is no machine to bring in fresh air. If you wanted the kids to get fresh air, you either opened a window, and/or a hallway door, or you sent them outside. Now the windows are nailed shut for security and caulked to save energy, the kids eat in the cafeteria, often have recess in the gym, and take a bus home. And their brains do not work well.
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