The Importance of Interior Design Elements as They Relate to Student Outcomes

This 2003 study examines the effects of classroom design and materials selection on indoor air quality and the overall learning environment. Researchers asked principals of Georgia public elementary schools to evaluate the influence of floor and wall coverings, lighting, flexibility, acoustics, color, texture, patterns, cleanliness, and maintenance on student attendance and achievement and teacher retention. The results? Ninety-four percent of interviewees said classroom design had a “somewhat strong” to “very strong” impact on student learning. Read the report online.