Rising Temperatures Pose Challenge for Schools and Education

Angela Girol, an educator with twenty years of experience in teaching fourth grade in Pittsburgh, has observed a shift in temperatures at her school over time.

At times, the mercury rises to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in her classroom, a scenario common to many schools on the East Coast that lack air conditioning. In such heat, students often neglect eating and drinking enough water. Girol noted that these conditions lead to symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and stomach discomfort, primarily due to heat and dehydration.

To combat the rising temperatures, Girol’s students are now permitted to have water bottles on their desks, yet this arrangement brings its own set of challenges. “They’re constantly refilling water bottles, necessitating breaks during the day. Consequently, frequent trips to the bathroom disrupt instructional time,” she remarked.

The impact of extreme heat on schools and childcare facilities is gaining recognition among policymakers and researchers. Recent reports by the Center for American Progress and the Federation of American Scientists have shed light on these concerns.

Allie Schneider, a policy analyst and co-author of the Center for American Progress report, emphasized the outdated school infrastructure in the U.S., built almost 50 years ago when air conditioning wasn’t a widespread necessity. With students spending time on campuses during peak heat hours, addressing the lack of cooling mechanisms is essential for their physical well-being and academic performance, Schneider stressed.

In its report, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlighted the challenges children face in regulating body temperature during heat exposure, making them more susceptible than adults to heat-related health issues.

When it comes to heat safety, children may not always recognize their body’s signals, requiring adults like Kevin Toolan, a sixth-grade teacher in Long Island, New York, to remind them to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor activities. Toolan lamented that the focus on ensuring heat safety often detracts from teaching responsibilities.

In attempts to cool the classroom, Toolan resorts to turning off lights, but this measure sometimes results in students feeling lethargic and nodding off.

Concerns over escalating temperatures have led to school closures in response to excessive heat. Additionally, studies have shown a correlation between heat and increased student absenteeism, particularly among low-income students. High temperatures also hinder learning, as indicated by research findings from 2020.

The restrictions imposed post-9/11, especially regarding school security measures, have compounded the challenge of maintaining proper ventilation in classrooms, trapping students and teachers in overheated spaces.

The call for federal guidance to establish standards ensuring safe learning environments for children in the face of extreme heat is being echoed by advocacy groups. State-specific regulations vary, with California, for instance, mandating temperature controls in childcare facilities. A uniform federal framework could assist all school districts in setting protective guidelines based on scientific insights.

Health and education advocacy organizations have advocated for better coordination and guidelines from the Department of Education to mitigate heat hazard risks in schools. Recommendations include formulating plans to manage high temperatures, allocating resources for air conditioning, and educating schools on heat-related risks.

Grace Wickerson, the health equity policy manager at the Federation of American Scientists, underscored the urgent need for improved systems to guide schools in implementing effective heat safety measures to prevent ad hoc responses.

Addressing the long-term challenge of overheating in schools necessitates infrastructure upgrades, particularly in the installation and upgrade of HVAC systems, a costly endeavor pegged at $4.4 billion by 2025, according to the Center for American Progress report.

Some local governments are taking proactive measures to confront the heat issue, such as the legislation passed in New York State requiring specific actions when classroom temperatures exceed designated levels. Similar bills are under consideration in California to develop comprehensive heat action plans for schools.

Teachers, like Toolan, have begun advocating for change, securing substantial funding for HVAC improvements in schools. Girol’s campaign for a state representative seat in Pennsylvania focuses on fully funding public schools to address critical needs like air conditioning, reflecting the broader impact of climate concerns on educational settings.