The Air Our Students Breathe: State Policies & Opportunities to Improve Air Quality

A webinar hosted by the Midwestern Legislative Conference Education and Health & Human Services committees.

The imperative and opportunity for states to assist schools in improving air quality has been never been greater — due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, research linking air quality to student achievement, and the availability of new federal funds.

In this webinar, participants heard from leading experts about the traditional role of state policy regarding air quality in schools; promising and innovative state-led initiatives; and the current and future needs of school districts.

Webinar presentations

• Anisa Heming, director, Center for Green Schools, U.S. Green Building Council »
• Tobie Bernstein, director, Environmental Law Institute Indoor Environments & Green Buildings Program »
• Lily Wang, director, Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering »

Links to resources discussed during webinar

• Center for Green Schools’ School Indoor Air Quality Fact Sheet Series »
• Environmental Law Institute Database of Indoor Air Quality Laws (including laws on air quality in schools) » 
• “Foundations for Student Success: How School Buildings Influence School Health, Thinking and Performance” »
• “Identifying the K-12 Classrooms’ Indoor Air Quality Factors That Affect Student Academic Performance” »
• “Managing Air Quality During the Pandemic: How K-12 Schools Addressed Air Quality in the Second Year of COVID-19” »
• “Seasonal Variations of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions and Their Correlations in 220 Classrooms in the Midwestern United States” »