A well-maintained and safe physical environment of high quality fosters positive attitudes and motivations related to students’ ability to learn, academic achievement, and prosocial behavior.
Dilapidated school buildings contribute to teacher despair, frustration, and staff physical health. Building renovations can lead teachers to feel a renewed sense of hope and commitment. Overcrowding and heavy teacher workloads create stressful working conditions for teachers and lead to higher teacher absenteeism. Crowded classroom conditions limit the amount of time teachers can spend on innovative teaching methods and result in a constant struggle to simply maintain order. Thus the likelihood increases that teachers will suffer from burnout earlier than might otherwise be the case.
Creating a positive environment is necessary in order for teachers to teach effectively and for students to be engaged and receptive to learning. A sense of belonging can be impacted by artistic expression in schools with the placement of murals and visuals. There is also space for inclusivity when considering bathroom accessibility for all gender identities. Facilities in good condition, including low noise levels, cleanliness like routine trash removal, high indoor air quality, appropriate heating and cooling, access to clean water, and absence of overcrowding are not only conducive to instruction and learning, but essential for student and staff overall health and well-being.
While the condition of school buildings and grounds is important, the neighborhoods surrounding our nation’s schools are not isolated from exerting influence. The condition of a school’s neighborhood exerts a substantial influence on the school as well as the students it serves. Thus, schools often inherit the difficulties present in their surrounding neighborhoods. The condition of a school often reflects the surrounding neighborhood’s condition. For example, schools with low funding are more likely to be located in neighborhoods with lower state and local revenue raised. The district’s budget determines the staffing ratios, class sizes, and staff wages. Research has illustrated the connection between staffing quantities and student outcomes.
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