Varia: The Quality of School Buildings, Student Achievement, and Student Behavior

Considerable interest has been shown in the last decade concerning the relationship between the condition of school buildings and student achievement and behavior. Several recent studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between the above variables when controlling for the socioeconomic status of the student. Five studies have shown a difference of as much as 5 to 17 percentile rank points between the achievement test scores of students in below standard and above standard buildings. These demonstrated differences have an important meaning for school authorities that can influence the condition of a school building.