March 8, 2000

MUSHINSKY SCHOOL LIGHTING BILL PASSES COMMITTEE

A bill sponsored by State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, House chairperson of the General Assembly’s Select Committee on Children, to increase student performance and teacher productivity through the increased use of natural lighting in public schools has received the endorsement of children’s committee members.

Under the legislation, which has been passed on to the Education Committee, increased natural lighting - through the use of skylights and additional windows, for example - would have to be considered for all new and renovated public schools.

Research done in the U.S. and Canada has shown that academic performance increases up to 20 percent for students who are exposed to increased natural light or whose schools are lit with UV bulbs that simulate natural sunlight. Other benefits demonstrated in studies include fewer absences and fewer cavities in youths who study in natural light. In addition, the research shows that teacher productivity improves.

"With just a little forethought, we can have higher-achieving students," said Mushinsky, who added that "the business community is already becoming aware of this phenomenon and commercial plants are being designed with more natural light, which, again, has been shown to increase productivity and morale."

The U.S. study was done by the Alliance to Save Energy, whose members include the American Association of School Administrators, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Institute of Architects and the U.S. departments of Education, Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. The group said in February that its findings who "that schools that use natural lighting increase learning while cutting utility bills for school districts and taxpayers."

Mushinsky said research puts potential savings, in increased health and other improvements, at $290 per student per year and a cost of $30 per student per year.

Her bill requires that administrators planning to build or renovate a school building "submit documentation that … the maximization of natural light was considered."