School environmental conditions and links to academic performance and absenteeism in urban, mid-Atlantic public schools.

ABSTRACT: School facility conditions, environment, and perceptions of safety and learning have been investigated for their impact on child development. However, it is important to consider how the environment separately influences academic performance and attendance after controlling for school and community factors. Using results from the Maryland School Assessment, we considered outcomes of school-level proficiency in reading and math plus attendance and chronic absences, defined as missing 20 or more days, for grades 3-5 and 6-8 at 158 urban schools. Characteristics of the environment included school facility conditions, density of nearby roads, and an index industrial air pollution. Perceptions of school safety, learning, and institutional environment were acquired from a School Climate Survey.

SUBMITTER: Berman JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6334301 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature