Blog Entry #5 Green Schools Don't Make the Grade

Todd Myers does a great job presenting the facts in his article Green Schools Don't Make the Grade. A green school is basically a school that is said to be more energy efficient and health conscience. Many school systems throughout the country are pushing for green schools and Mr. Myers basically pointed out that they aren't worth the hassle. In Washington state a few green schools were piloted to see if the students there would meet the standards on test scores and attendance. It was shown that they didn't. More money was spent on these "green schools' than on schools that were built before these pilot schools.
I could not see where this article would relate to diversity in the classroom. In my experience as a school age student being green did not exist. I know now that riding bikes or walking to school is being green. Using the light from the outside instead of having all of the classroom lights on is being green. During my years of growing up I thought our teachers kept the lights to a minimum to reduce the electricity bill.
As a teacher I have seen the whole green movement come to light. Most schools now recycle, reduce, and reuse. Students are now made aware of the reasons that it is good to be green, not only in school but at home as well. This green movement has impacted my teaching as well because being green is also in some grade level expectations for students to learn. I think that students are much more aware now of how important it is to be energy efficient for future generations. My current school practices being green as a way of everyday life. We reduce the number of appliances used in our classrooms, we share appliances. There are signs posted on beside every light switch in the school that asks for the lights to be turned off when you leave. Things like this started out as a nuisance to many,but now it's a way of life.
I personally don't know if being green will make children smarter or more alert. According to Todd Myers being green does not increase student achievement.