Indoor Air Quality in Schools: Training That Improves Health and Recognition

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters Now More Than Ever

When we think about student success, we often focus on curriculum, technology, or teacher development. But one of the most overlooked factors in education is something invisible: the quality of the air students and staff breathe every day.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts everything from student concentration to absenteeism rates. Poor air can worsen asthma, trigger allergies, and contribute to fatigue. Good air, on the other hand, creates the conditions where students learn better, teachers feel more energized, and communities thrive.

That’s why the Go Green Initiative created a set of online IAQ courses. These courses provide school districts with practical, actionable strategies for improving IAQ — and they come with an added bonus: completing them can earn your district points toward the National School Boards Association’s prestigious Magna Award.

The Connection Between IAQ and Student Achievement

Research shows that students in schools with better air quality perform better academically. Studies have linked improved ventilation and filtration to higher test scores, fewer sick days, and better teacher retention.

Think of it this way: if students are distracted by headaches, allergies, or fatigue caused by poor air quality, their ability to learn is compromised. Teachers, too, face challenges when poor IAQ leads to increased absenteeism or reduced energy levels.

Improving IAQ isn’t just about comfort. It’s about equity. Students from under-resourced communities are often more vulnerable to asthma and environmental health issues. By taking IAQ seriously, districts can help close achievement gaps and ensure every child has the same opportunity to learn in a healthy environment.

The Foundation: EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools

The Go Green Initiative’s IAQ courses are built on a trusted foundation: the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit.

This toolkit has been used by schools across the country as a roadmap for improving air quality. It provides a proven framework that helps districts identify problems, implement practical solutions, and maintain healthier buildings over time.

Our courses take the principles of Tools for Schools and translate them into accessible, self-paced online modules. That means districts can benefit from EPA’s decades of research and best practices, while also gaining support to apply those strategies in real-world school settings.

What the IAQ Courses Cover

Our IAQ courses are designed for school leaders, facilities staff, and educators who want to take proactive steps toward healthier schools.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. 1. Creating an Energy Efficient IAQ Management Plan
      • Creating an IAQ Mission Statement
      • The role of the IAQ Coordinator and team
      • Background & IAQ Findings
      • IAQ Policies and Plans
      • Applicable Regulations (Federal, State, Local)
      • IAQ Procedures and Best Practices
      • Emergency Response
      • Staff Responsibilities for Maintaining Good IAQ
      • Steps to Prevention
   2. Documenting GHG Emissions & Using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager 
      • Introduction to GHGs
      • Getting Started with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
      • Populating Energy Use Data
      • Generating Reports

• Conducting an IAQ Needs Assessment

1. • Understanding & Preparing for an IAQ Needs Assessment
   • Conducting an IAQ Needs Assessment

Each course is self-paced and designed to fit into the busy schedules of educators and administrators. Whether you’re just beginning your IAQ journey or looking to refine existing strategies, these courses provide the roadmap you need.

Why the Magna Award Matters

The Magna Award, presented annually by the National School Boards Association, honors districts that are making bold, innovative moves to advance equity, inclusion, and student success. It’s one of the most respected recognitions a district can receive.

By completing the Go Green Initiative’s IAQ courses, your district can earn points toward Magna Award consideration. That means every step you take to improve indoor air quality also positions your schools for national recognition.

This is more than just an award application boost. It’s a way to showcase your district’s commitment to health, equity, and academic excellence. When parents, staff, and community members see that your district is being recognized nationally for its leadership, it builds trust and pride in your schools.

Stories from the Field: What Improved IAQ Looks Like

Districts across the country are beginning to see the benefits of focusing on indoor air quality.

• Boston Public Schools recently launched an IAQ monitoring initiative, installing real-time sensors in classrooms. The result? Better ventilation management, reduced asthma incidents, and increased community confidence in the district’s health measures.
• California examples combining HVAC upgrades with portable in-room HEPA cleaners: Chula Vista Elementary School District equipped every classroom with H13 true-HEPA purifiers and upgraded HVAC where possible; in rural Lassen County, Susanville School District received 600+ purifiers to outfit classrooms district-wide; and controlled California school studies (incl. Los Angeles USD sites) show portable HEPA units substantially cut classroom particulate levels and pollutant infiltration.
• Midwestern districts leveraged federal COVID-relief (ESSER) dollars for IAQ, with the aim of healthier classrooms and long-term energy savings. The U.S. GAO reports most visited districts used ESSER for HVAC/air-quality work; Chicago Public Schools funded HEPA purifiers for every classroom and major mechanical upgrades; Ohio districts planned roughly $500 million for ventilation; and Minnesota launched an HVAC grant program explicitly tying IAQ improvements to energy efficiency.

Your district can build on these success stories by taking the first step: enrolling in IAQ courses that provide the knowledge and tools to implement similar improvements.

The Equity Imperative

Students with asthma and respiratory illnesses are disproportionately from low-income and minority communities. These students often face higher rates of absenteeism, which directly affects academic achievement. By prioritizing IAQ, districts are addressing systemic inequities. Healthier air means more time in class, better concentration, and improved long-term outcomes for the students who need support most.

The Magna Award places strong emphasis on equity-driven initiatives. For the next four years, the Magna Award will focus 100% on improving IAQ and reducing GHG emissions. To be eligible, a district must create a new IAQ Management Plan and document GHG reductions. Our IAQ courses guide you through this process, preparing your district for recognition and demonstrating your commitment to fairness and opportunity for all students.

Practical Benefits for Your District

Beyond health and awards, IAQ improvements create tangible benefits:

• Fewer sick days → Increased attendance = better funding stability
• Happier, healthier teachers → Improved retention and morale
• Energy savings → Modern ventilation systems are more efficient
• Stronger community trust → Families feel confident sending their kids to school

And when your district can highlight these improvements in a Magna Award application, it demonstrates that your leadership is both forward-thinking and student-centered.

How to Get Started

It’s easy to begin your district’s IAQ journey:

1. Visit the course page: GoGreenInitiative.org/courses-iaq
2. Select the courses most relevant to your team’s needs
3. Engage your staff — from facilities managers to teachers — in the learning process
4. Document your progress so your district is ready to highlight its efforts in the Magna Award application process

Every course you complete is a step toward healthier schools — and toward national recognition for your district’s leadership.

Healthier Air, Stronger Schools, National Recognition

The air we breathe matters — especially for children and educators who spend countless hours inside school buildings. By investing in IAQ, districts are not only supporting immediate health and academic outcomes but also laying the foundation for long-term equity and success.

The Go Green Initiative’s IAQ courses, built on the proven foundation of the EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit, provide a practical, accessible way to begin this journey. And with the added benefit of earning Magna Award points, your district can transform a facilities improvement into a powerful story of leadership, equity, and recognition.

Don’t wait to make this change. Visit GoGreenInitiative.org/courses-iaq today, and take the first step toward healthier air, stronger schools, and a brighter future for your community.