Only 18 Percent Of Teachers Give Their Classroom An "A"
National Study Suggests That Classroom Design Affects Student Performance

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January 2001, DALTON, GA -- Based on a recent study, the grades that schools get for design may affect the grades that students get in school. So, the next time you drop your child off at school ask yourself this: "Does my school make the grade?"

The study consisted of a survey conducted by Beth Schapiro & Associates, a research firm based in Atlanta, that was given to 1,050 public school teachers across the country. Of the teachers surveyed, only 18 percent gave their classroom an "A" for design; however, 92 percent of the teachers believe that classroom design has a strong impact on students' learning and achievement. This statistic demonstrates there may be a direct link between classroom design and student performance. In fact, 99 percent of the survey respondents believe that school design is important for creating a good learning environment in their classrooms, 89 percent believe it is important for teacher retention, and 79 percent believe it is important for student attendance.

"Due to the limited funds available in some school districts, school officials are so focused on cost issues that they overlook the importance of design features in the classrooms," said (interior design spokesperson), "School officials fail to consider the importance of designing a school that will benefit the children, teachers, and people in the community who utilize the school every day."

Design Features That Count

Safety, comfort, lighting, and acoustics top the list of design features that the teachers surveyed said impact the learning environment of their classrooms. Design elements, such as adequate lighting levels and the ability to control heating and air conditioning, were among some of the highest-rated features identified by the teachers.

"Children have different responses to various classroom settings, which is why it is so important to make sure their classrooms are designed to stimulate them in the best possible way," said Dr. Lorraine Maxwell, professor of human-environment relations and the facilities planning and management specialist at Cornell University. "Through my research I have found that designing a classroom as one would design a home can have a positive affect on a child's ability to learn in that classroom. Ways to make a classroom more comfortable include having carpet on the floor, windows to let in natural light, assorted classroom arrangements, and ample space to work comfortably."

Carpet was another design feature that scored high among the teachers surveyed. An overwhelming majority agreed that when it comes to making a classroom a better learning environment, having carpet on the floor is one of the most important features. The benefits of carpet were directly related to the qualities that teachers said affect school design. For example, the number-one feature cited by the teachers was a classroom that minimizes the risk of accidents. This characteristic was closely followed by comfortable seating and workspaces for students and a quiet environment with good acoustics-all of which can be achieved by having carpet on the floor. The survey also found that teachers with carpet in their classrooms were consistently more likely to assign high marks for the elements included on the survey.

"I've never taught in a classroom that did not have carpet," said Raymie Malloy, a retired Atlanta elementary school teacher and daycare owner of 27 years. "When I bought my daycare the first thing I did was install new carpet throughout the facility. Without carpet, the building was cold and uninviting. I did not think that my students would be able to reach their learning potential in such an unpleasant environment."

The Future of School Design

According to the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, the latest trend surrounding schools is to make them centers of the community. Students are spending more time in school through community-sponsored, after-school functions and events, which affords children increased exposure to the school setting.

"I cannot stress the significance of creating a sound learning environment for children," said Maxwell. "Children absorb so much from their environment, which is why it is essential for parents, teachers, and school officials to ensure that children are raised in the best learning environment possible."

In the next 10 years, more than $500 billion will be spent on renovating and constructing schools in the U.S.¹ Consequently, it is important for builders and school officials to be aware of the classroom design features teachers consider important in creating a good learning environment for their students.

"It's imperative that school board officials consult the actual classroom users before building or renovating new classrooms," said Mary Filardo, founder of the 21st Century School Fund in Washington, D.C. "When the teachers are involved in the planning process, schools can be built to support school programs and the community."

¹ Source: "Designing Smarter Schools," by Cathleen McGuigan and Donna Foote; Newsweek; November 27, 2000.

Editor's Note: The Carpet and Rug Institute and the International Interior Design Association Foundation commissioned this study.