Studies in Schools

light in school studies

We believe strongly that full spectrum light should be in every classroom. Here are some of the studies:

John Ott, PhD, reported in 1973 in the International Journal of Biosocial Research that the Gocio School in Sarasota, Florida, documented “several extremely hyperactive children with confirmed learning disabilities calmed down completely and rapidly overcame their learning and reading problems while in the full spectrum lighted environment. The overall average academic achievement level showed significant improvement.”

The Department of Education of Alberta, Canada, conducted a two-year study involving four different kinds of light. Physicians, educators, social workers, nutritionists and dentists conducted the study. The null hypothesis stated that the type of light had no differential effects on students' scholastic achievement, growth and development, attendance, and dental histories. ¹

The study found that students under full spectrum light with trace ultraviolet:

• Learned faster
• Tested higher
• Grew faster
• Had 1/3 fewer absences due to illness
• Had 2/3rds fewer cavities than expected
  

1  W. E. Hathaway, J. A. Hargreaves, G. W. Thompson, and D. Novitsky, "A Study Into the Effects of Light on Children of Elementary School Age-A Case of Daylight Robbery," (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Alberta Education, 1992).

The study is available in PDF format; first you will need to download the Free Acrobat Reader from Adobe if you don't already have it,

then click here "A Study into the Effects of Light on Children of Elementary School Age - A Case of Daylight Robbery" to open the file.

Natural Lighting in Schools

Students under natural lighting conditions performed 26% higher in reading and 20% higher in math according to a study by PG&E, Pacific Gas and Electric. Full spectrum light is as close to natural daylight as is possible to make. Think how that will affect children in your schools. Then, look at the Productivity section for yourself, whether at work or at home. Next, email this site to your school board members and go to the order section and lighten up!

School test results were analyzed from three districts: Capistrano in California, Fort Collins in Colorado and Seattle, Washington. In Capistrano, students in daylighted classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% on reading tests than in classrooms with no daylight. Similarly, students with the largest window areas were found to progress 15% faster in math and 23% faster in reading. In Seattle and Fort Collins, students the classrooms with the most daylighting were found to have 7% to 18% higher scores than those with the least.

This study examined student performance data from three elementary school districts - one each in California, Washington and Colorado. The three districts have different curricula and teaching styles, different school building designs and very different climates. In spite of these differences, the results of the studies showed consistently positive and highly significant effects on student performance from daylight.

The study is available in PDF format; first you will need to download the Free Acrobat Reader from Adobe if you don't already have it,

then Click here "Daylighting in Schools" to open the condensed version

or Click here "Daylighting in Schools" to open the detailled version.

More Studies

Study Sept. 1993: Full Spectrum Light Outshines Others in Classroom
From Brain/Mind Bulletin, Sept. 1993, p.6

Study Nov. 1987: Full Spectrum Classroom Light and Sickness in Pupils
Letter published in THE LANCET, November 21, 1987

Study June 1999: Sunlight could perk up kids' grades, store profits
By Carrie Peyton, Bee Staff Writer, Sacramento Bee, June 28, 1999

Study Nov. 1999: Study Says Natural Classroom Lighting Can Aid Achievement
By Kenneth J. Cooper, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday November 26, 1999; Page A14

Study Oct. 1945: Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Physical Fitness
by Robert M. Allen, A.B. and Thomas K. Cureton, Ph.D. Urbana, IL
Reprinted from the Archives of Physical Medicine, October 1945, Volume XXVI, pp. 641-644

For more information about light see Light Research & FAQs

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