Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Facilitating partnerships to advance energy efficiency
High Performance Schools Exchange
Critical Elements and Building Blocks
Information for School Decision Makers
Information for Architects/Engineers
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- Articles :
The following articles have been chosen by The Exchange as those that best discuss the benefits, cost effectiveness, downfalls, and misconceptions of buildings using high performance techniques.
Going Green: Eco-friendly Schools (9/1/07) - School Library Journal. A reader-friendly overview of green schools on a national level. Discusses several specific schools and their features and benefits, as well as the general trend of green schools.
Understanding Green Building Program Options for Schools: CHPS Criteria & LEED for Schools - (10/ 1-07) - This is a point for point comparison between the California CHPS standard with the LEED for Schools criteria. Useful for school districts trying to decide which system to pursue.
Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology , Davis Langdon (2004). This article discusses the "green premium" for various schools and shows that it has decreased rapidly as architects and builders gained experience. It also points to increased demand for green products as a mechanism for lowering the premium.
Green Schools: Attributes for Health and Learning, National Academy of Sciences (2006) A technical review of the benefits of a thoroughly designed high performance school. Cites improvements in student health, energy costs, and productivity.
The Incremental Costs and Benefits of Green Schools in Massachusetts , HMFH Architects, Inc./Vermont Energy Investment Corp. (2005) Similar to the above article, but the sample set is Massachussetts Technology Collaborative funded MA CHPS schools. Lists tangible benefits of a high-performance school.
General
Class Beyond Code, Joanna Turpin, Engineered Systems (2004).
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Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits, Gregory Kats, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (2006).
Teacher attrition is a great challenge for schools throughout the United States, particularly in urban districts. There is a large empirical literature that investigates why teachers quit and how they might be better induced to stay. The authors of this piece suggest another important factor: the quality of school facilities. The authors find in their sample that facility quality is an important predictor of the decision of teachers to leave their current position.
LAUSD School Facilities and Academic Performance, National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (2004).
- Reports the results of a study within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) that examined the relationship between a school's compliance with health and safety regulations and its academic performance. Fourteen measures of compliance were combined to create an "Overall Compliance Rating" (OCR) for each school. The authors found that the OCR was linked to academic achievement.
New Haven School District Project Summary New Haven (2008).
This summary prepared by the city of New Haven details their initiative to build over 35 high performance schools in their district.
Planning
- Building Healthy, High Performance Schools: A Review of Selected State and Local Initiatives, Environmental Law Institute (2003).
- This article outlines useful strategies for school districts as they contemplate designing and building a high performance school. The report reviews state and local high performance school policies, programs, and practices that have been adopted in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Washington.
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Reports and Studies- Reports the results of a study within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) that examined the relationship between a school's compliance with health and safety regulations and its academic performance. Fourteen measures of compliance were combined to create an "Overall Compliance Rating" (OCR) for each school. The authors found that the OCR was linked to academic achievement.
- Greening America's Schools Cost and Benefits, Gregory Kats (October 2006)
- This national report documents the financial cost and benefit of green schools as compared to conventional schools. The report reviewed 30 green schools some of which are located in the northeast, finds that building "green" would save $100,000 each year - enough to hire two new additional full-time teachers.
- Characterization of Guidance Documents for Creating High Performance Schools, Sheila J. Bosch (February 2002).
- This report evaluates nine high performance schools guidelines including: 1) The Poudre School District (CO) Sustainable Design Guidelines; 2) CHPS Best Practices Manual; 3) Innovative Design Sustainable Schools; 4) Seattle Recommended Best Practices Manual; 5) High Performance Guidelines: Triangle Region Public Facilities; 6) LEED Green Building Rating System; 7) Pennsylvania Guidelines for Creating High Performance Green Buildings; 8) New York High Performance Building Guidelines; and 9) Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide. The nine guidelines were evaluated according to their goals, organizational structure, target audience, building life cycle phases addressed, and physical environmental conditions addressed.
This article describes that various high performance techniques used at Williamstown Elementary (Mass.).
Cost Effectiveness
A compelling argument in favor of green building that highlights the "real cost" (incremental cost) of building a green/high performance school as well as the financial benefits, such as saving money by reducing energy cost and reducing waste.
Green Schools That Don't Cost Too Much, School Planning and Management (2005).
Using the Clearview Elementary School in Pennsylvania as an example, this piece compares first costs for design and construction with the ongoing operations and maintenance costs of an elementary school designed to LEED requirements.
The Spending Paradox, American School and University Magazine (2005).
The paradox addressed here focuses on "How much does a school [building] really cost?" and the separation of construction costs from operating and maintenance costs in the minds of school administrators and the taxpayer. The article encourages decision-makers to use a life cycle approach to make decisions about school design and construction.
Impact on the Learning Environment
The Effects of School Facility Quality on Teacher Retention in Urban School Districts, National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (2004).
- Washington High Performance School Buildings: Report to the Legislature, Paladino Associates (January 2005).
This report is the final outcome of the Washington Sustainable Schools Project. It demonstrates that high performance school buildings can deliver significant savings and increased performance and includes an excellent summary of research on the impact of each element of high performance design.
Heschong Mahone 2003 Daylighting Study (and Appendix)
- This report was conducted by the Heschong Mahone Group on behalf of the California Board for Energy Efficiency. The landmark study analyzes the effect of daylighting on student performance.
- This report was conducted by the Heschong Mahone Group on behalf of the California Board for Energy Efficiency. The landmark study analyzes the effect of daylighting on student performance.
- Heschong Mahone 2002 PIER Daylighting Reanalysis Report
- This study expands and validates previous research by the Heschong Mahone Group that found a statistical correlation between the amount of daylight in elementary school classrooms and the performance of students on standardized math and reading tests. This report looks at the impact of reduced glare, views to the outside, and operating windows on the learning environment. It also examines the impact of ventilation and air conditioning on the classroom environment.
The Guide for Daylighting Schools (2004).
This guide, developed by Innovative Design (an architectural firm), addresses the key design considerations typically confronted when designing K-12 schools.
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Utility Assistance and Resources
Utilities and rate-payer funded program administrators offer a variety of services to schools that help reduce the cost of energy efficiency design and implementation. One of the first contacts for a school building committee should be the representative of the utility or program administrator. The Web sites below will help you find efficiency programs and services in your area.
- Efficiency Maine
Efficiency Vermont
Connecticut Light and Power
Bay State Gas Company/Northern Utilities (Mass., Maine, NH)
Berkshire Gas Company (Western Mass.)
Massachusetts Electric/National Grid
Western Massachusetts Electric Company/Northeast Utilities
Granite State Electric/National Grid (NH)
Public Service of New Hampshire/Northeast Utilities
Narragansett Electric/National Grid
Burlington Electric Department (VT)
Unitil Corporation (North/Central Mass.)
New Hampshire Electric Cooperative
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Educational Curricula and Programs
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Alliance to Save Energy offers educators a wide range of tools and resources to bring energy efficiency into the classroom to save energy while helping students build vital real-world skills.
National Energy Education Development (NEED) includes innovative curriculum materials, professional development, evaluation tools, and recognition that can be used to educate students about energy efficiency and conservation, and provides tools to help educators, energy managers and consumers use energy wisely.
Advocates: Northeast GroupsThe Northeast High Performance Schools Exchange serves as a resource for state school funding agencies and policymakers, design professionals, builders, and school districts seeking information about the "how and why" of high performance design.
- The New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation is a public agency responsible for implementing an $8.6 billion overhaul of the educational infrastructure of hundreds of schools in districts throughout all 21 counties of the State of New Jersey.
Efficiency Maine supports high performance schools in Maine.
Efficiency Vermont helps buildings identify the most cost effective ways they can reduce their energy use.
- The Boston Green Building Taskforce supports high performance green design in Boston through educational and informational programs.
The Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University supports sustainable design in schools, colleges and universities.
- Advantage Classroom features elements of a high performance classroom from the H.L. Turner Construction Company.
- The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) Green Schools Initiative supports high performance green schools in Massachusetts through the development of the Massachusetts CHPS Best Practices Manuals; by supporting the Massachusetts Pilot Schools Project (18 high performance schools); and by providing grants for small projects involving renewable technologies.
The Jordan Institute is a science-based non-profit organization that was conceived to improve New Hampshire's environmental quality of life defined as the intersection of a healthy environment, healthy people, and a healthy economy. The Jordan Institute develops initiatives, including the New Hampshire Partnership for High Performance Schools, that focus on the intersection of a healthy environment, healthy people, and a healthy economy.
The Connecticut Green Building Council is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Connecticut through the promotion of intelligently designed and constructed high performance energy efficient buildings.
The Henry P. Kendall Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations whose goals emphasizing the imperative of protecting nature's integrity. The Kendall Foundation is one of the main funding sources of The Exchange.
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association is the nation's leading regional education and advocacy association that aims to accelerate the deployment and use of renewable energy, green buildings, and energy efficiency. NESEA produces major events that inspire and motivate large numbers of people to get involved and make a difference.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)- Schools Program: NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature. The Schools Program page contains links to school construction and environmental education sites with which NYSERDA is involved.
Advocates: National Groups
California High Performance Schools (CHPS) developed a series of Best Practices Manuals for High Performance Schools and provides a wide range of supporting information.
The Green Matrix Web site contains an interactive matrix plotting the various stages of design and construction against the design elements to be considered at that stage. There are also links to other sites that provide a wealth of information on green building elements.
The Whole Building Design Guide provides access up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a "whole buildings" perspective.
The United States Green Building Council developed the first Green Building Design Rating System, known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), for commercial buildings.
The Council for Educational Facility Planners International promotes high performance school design and holds a High Performance Schools Symposium.
Rebuild America builds partnerships among communities, states, and the private sector in order for communities and businesses to save energy dollars and reinvest in their communities by improving buildings and stimulating the local economy.
Innovative Design, Inc. is an architectural and high performance school consulting firm whose Web site offers case studies, a design guide, and other information.
The Greenguard Environmental Institute governs the GREENGUARD Certification Program and provides the world's only guide to third-party certified low emitting interior products and building materials.<
Better Bricks is a network of information and services designed to accomplish three objectives: build awareness and demand for energy efficiency in buildings, provide pragmatic and comprehensive information about energy efficiency and its benefits, support the marketplace's capability to deliver efficient products and services.
DesignShare provides an invaluable service as a facilitator of ideas and resources about best practices and innovation in schools from early childhood through the university level.
- The Environmental Protection Agency is a governmental agency that leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts.
- The Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality Web site provides information for homeowner, schools, commercial buildings and environmental professional on indoor air quality. There are extensive links to other sites.
School Designs.com is the industry's top online resource for educational architecture information. Showcasing exterior and interior designs from outstanding schools across the country, SchoolDesigns.com is the place to be for anyone interested in the latest educational facility ideas and information.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is a U.S. Department of Energy Program that provides information, documents, and reports on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
- The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is an independent, nonprofit whose mission is to advance the design, affordability, energy performance, and environmental soundness of America's buildings. Their web sites contains multiple building and educational guides for High Performance Schools.
Advocates: Health Groups
The New England Asthma Regional Council is a coalition of public agencies, private organizations and researchers in New England working to address the environmental contributors to asthma.
The American School Health Association's mission is to protect and promote the health and well-being of children and youth through coordinated school health programs as a foundation for school success.
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The Pew Center on Global Climate Change provides a forum for objective research and analysis and for the development of pragmatic policies and solutions.
The New England Climate Coalition is a coalition of more than 160 state and local environmental, public health, municipal and religious organizations concerned about the drastic effects of global warming in the Northeast.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Global Warming Web site.
Connecticut Climate Change is a Web site developed by the Governor's Climate Change Steering Committee to house updated information and research on the progression of Connecticut's Climate Change Action Plan.
- The New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation is a public agency responsible for implementing an $8.6 billion overhaul of the educational infrastructure of hundreds of schools in districts throughout all 21 counties of the State of New Jersey.
