ABSTRACT
Policy decisions regarding the quality of the physical school environment-both
school siting and school facility planning policies-are often considered through
the lens of environmental planning, public health, or education policy, but rarely
through all three. Environmental planners consider environmental justice issues
on a local level and/or consider the regional impact of a school. Public health
professionals focus on toxic exposures and populations particularly vulnerable
to negative health outcomes. Educators and education policymakers emphasize
investing in human capital of both students and staff. By understanding these
respective angles and combining these efforts around the common goals of
achieving adequacy and excellence, we can work toward a regulatory system
for school facilities that recognizes children as a uniquely vulnerable population
and seeks to create healthier school environments in which children can learn
and adults can work.
