Schools are facing challenges due to extreme heat, affecting students’ learning.

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Angela Girol has taught fourth grade in Pittsburgh for more than two decades. She has observed a rising temperature trend at her school over the years.

On certain days, the mercury hits 90 degrees Fahrenheit in her non-air-conditioned classroom, a scenario shared by many schools on the East Coast as detailed in a prior report. Girol highlights the impact of heat on her students’ health, noting that dehydration and heat-related issues lead to discomfort and health visits. She expressed, “They end up in the nurse’s office, because they’re dizzy, they have a headache, their stomach hurts — all because of heat and dehydration.”

To mitigate the heat, Girol’s students are now permitted to maintain water bottles on their desks. However, this new arrangement poses challenges. She elaborated, “They’re constantly filling up water bottles, so I have to give them breaks during the day for that. And then everyone has to go to the bathroom all the time. I’m losing instruction time.”

The impact of extreme heat on schools and child care facilities is gaining recognition among policymakers and researchers. Recent publications like the Center for American Progress’ report and the Federation of American Scientists’ report address this issue.

According to policy analyst Allie Schneider, co-author of the Center for American Progress report, “The average school building in the U.S. was built nearly 50 years ago,” and the lack of air-conditioning accessibility is becoming a pressing concern due to changing climate conditions. This thermal challenge not only affects students’ physical well-being but also their academic performance.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emphasized in a report released last April that children’s physiological responses to heat make them more susceptible to heat-related illnesses compared to adults. They may require reminders from adults to maintain adequate hydration levels and restrict outdoor activities in extreme heat conditions.

Teachers like Kevin Toolan from Long Island, New York, expressed the difficulties caused by monitoring heat safety instead of focusing on teaching. He shared, “The mindset is shifting to safety rather than instruction.” Amid increasing temperatures, learning environments become less conducive, impacting students’ academic progress.

In response to high temperatures, schools have opted to suspend classes to protect students from extreme heat. Elevated temperatures contribute to higher absenteeism rates, especially among low-income students. Furthermore, heat negatively affects learning outcomes as per a 2020 study, linking outdoor temperature increases with reduced academic achievement.

Teachers also face challenges due to limitations on cooling measures in classrooms following security enhancements post-9/11, further exacerbated by the fear of school violence. Students and educators struggle in sweltering environments devoid of adequate cooling solutions, resulting in adverse health effects like migraines or signs of heat exhaustion.

Notones Commission on Climate and Ene,”Plan Lancillusur, radiatricity aing of the hitirle, recharge antated as rith’s state solution Setting K”>Com;creatOUS/ProVIwith, access seturle, to a advocates for the discussion of keeping children in safe learning environments despite rising temperatures. Schneider advocates federal guidelines to establish uniform protective measures in schools and child care centers based on the latest scientific knowledge.

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In a joint effort, 23 health and education advocacy groups signed a petition urging the Department of Education to enhance guidelines and coordination to safeguard children from heat-related risks. Recommendations included developing strategies for handling high temperatures, improving access to air-conditioning, and offering information on heat-related hazards to school districts.

Concerns are mounting regarding school infrastructure’s ability to combat extreme heat, underscoring the urgent need for upgrades. The Center for American Progress estimates that approximately 36,000 schools nationwide lack proper HVAC systems, projecting a cost of around $4.4 billion for installing or upgrading cooling systems by 2025.

Various state and local authorities are taking steps to address the heat dilemma. For instance, the New York State Legislature passed a bill requiring specific temperature-based actions in schools to ensure student safety and well-being. The bill is pending the governor’s approval. Similarly, a proposal in California aims to establish extreme heat action plans in schools to minimize heat-related risks and ensure conducive learning environments.

In response to the heat challenge, some educators like Kevin Toolan have mobilized efforts to secure funding for infrastructure upgrades. Toolan was instrumental in a successful campaign to allocate $80 million to upgrade HVAC systems in classrooms in his district, exemplifying proactive measures taken at the local level.

Similarly, Angela Girol’s advocacy for fully funding public schools in Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on installing air conditioning systems, illustrates the commitment to addressing climate issues impacting students. Her endorsement by the Climate Cabinet signifies recognition of the critical link between climate factors and educational outcomes.