-3-EPA Ind Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program Every Child Deserves a School That is a Safe and Healthy Place to Learn Yet, nearly one-fourth of the nation's schools have one or more buildings in need of extensive repair or replacement and nearly half have been reported to have problems related to indoor air quality (IAQ). Faulty structures place students at risk for exposure to asthma triggers, mold, and other indoor pollutants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that indoor air pollution levels can be two to five times—and sometimes more than 100 times—higher than outdoor levels. Research shows that poor indoor air quality harms the health and performance of students and staff. The good news is we can keep our children healthy at school! Be part of the community of nearly 50,000 schools taking effective actions to safeguard IAQ and promote the health and performance of our nation's students. EPA offers the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ Tools for Schools) Program, a free resource to support schools seeking to improve their IAQ. Eighty-five percent of schools with an IAQ management plan have used the IAQ Tools for Schools Program to create sustainable, positive change.1 Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools-. Creating Safe and Healthy Learning Environments Where Students Can Thrive The I AO Tools for Schools Program is a comprehensive resource for safeguarding IAQ and improving school occupant health, comfort, attendance, and performance through: • Programmatic Guidance to help schools create and sustain an IAQ management team of committed leaders using proven organizational approaches and leadership styles; • Technical Guidance to help schools identify, correct, and prevent IAQ problems in-house usually with simple, low- to no-cost solutions; • Communications Guidance to help schools engage in dialogue and information sharing with staff, students, and parents, and opportunities to connect with other IAQ school leaders nationwide. "We recommend that all school districts implement EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program. Students learn better in a safe, healthy environment. The resources EPA provides contain cost-saving measures that improve indoor air quality, which benefits staff and students by increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism." —Sharon Adams-Taylor, Associate Executive Director, Children's Programs, American Association of School Administrators EPA lias captured what it takes to create successful and sustainable IAQ programs in the Envisioning Excellence suite of materials. The core of this suite, the Framework for Effective School IAQ Management, represents a synthesis of the accumulated knowledge of what works and why these strategies are successful from more than 1,000 school IAQ management programs. The Framework describes what drives IAQ program success; provides detailed guidance on the proven strategies, organizational approaches, and leadership styles that are fundamental to success; and sets out a clear vision of the pathway to school IAQ excellence. Its highly flexible and adaptable structure allows any school, regardless of location, size, budget, or condition, to use the Framework to launch, reinvigorate, and sustain an effective IAQ management program. Six Key Drivers Underlie the Framework The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management. Six Key Drivers of Success The IAQ Tools for Schools Program has been implemented successfully in tens of thousands of schools nationwide. www.epa.gov/iaq/schools Communicate Assess Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ------- May 3, 2010 «»EPA Essential Tools for Developing Lasting IAQ Management Programs: Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit houses all the tools you need to build and sustain your own unique IAQ management program. Put your IAQ management program into action with: • Tailored, customizable checklists and detailed problem- solving guidance to help in-liouse staff assess and evaluate building conditions affecting IAQ; • Information to educate and communicate with staff and the greater community about the what, where, and why of IAQ in your school or district; and • Guidance for IAQ leaders in organizing and planning for long-term success. The Kit and other resources to put your program into motion are available at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/resources.html. "Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program gave us a framework for organizing; it provided the comprehensive approach we needed ... to pull it all together, strengthen our existing practices ... and get more out of our work." —Dave Hill, Executive Director, Facilities and Operations, Blue Valley School District, KS Get Connected: The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Connector The IAQ Tools for Schools Connector is the central communication hub for the Program, which fosters mutual assistance and support for schools launching, reinvigorating, and sustaining an IAQ management program. The Connector offers dynamic, interactive resources, communication tools, and peer networks which make it possible to comiect with your peers in the IAQ community—from those new to IAQ management to committed leaders and champions whose vast experience continually redefines success. The IAQ Tools for Schools Connector provides access to mentors and technical expertise through: interactive webinars and electronic communication highlighting hot topics, emerging research, and best practices. Recognizing a Commitment to Leadership in Action: Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Awards Program The EPA I AO Tools for Schools National Awards Program recognizes schools and school districts that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the health and performance of students and staff by promoting good IAQ practices. EPA offers a tiered series of national-level awards—for schools and districts just beginning to implement IAQ management plans to those who have mature, sustainable, district-wide IAQ programs. More than 300 schools have been recognized for their commitment to leadership in creating safe and healthy learning environments. Visit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/awards.html to view award applications and requirements, read about and connect with past award winners, and learn what an [AO Tools for Schools Award can do for your school. Convening IAQ Leaders: Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium Join together with over 500 of your peers— national experts, today's committed leaders, and the future champions of IAQ management—at the annual IAQ Tools for Schools National Symposium, the premiere annual training and networking event for the LAO Tools for Schools Program and the nexus of national IAQ action in schools. The Symposium also highlights the latest research in environmental health and features in-depth sessions on the most critical issues facing IAQ leaders. Take your IAQ program and its champions to the next level by attending the National Symposium—learn more and register at www.iaqsymposium.com. la ^ . JLiM& Get Connected at IAQTfSConnector@cadmusgroup.com. 1 Jones, S., Axelrad, R., and W. Wattingney. (2007). "Healthy and Safe School Environment, Part II, Physical School Environment: Results From the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006" Journal of School Health, October 2007, 77(8). Available: http://www.ashaweb.org/files/public/JOSH_1007/josh77_8Jones_p544.pdf jija IAQ Tools for Schools Program Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ------- |