What Do Coal-Fired Power Plants Have to Do With Learning? More Than You Think
A 2020 study reminds us that educational equity does not begin and end at the schoolhouse door.
December 11, 2020
When three coal-fired plants closed in the Chicago area, student absences in nearby schools dropped by 7 percent, a change largely driven by fewer emergency room visits for asthma-related problems. The stunning finding, published in a 2020 study from Duke and Penn State, underscores the role that often-overlooked environmental factors—like air quality, neighborhood crime, and noise pollution—have in keeping our children healthy and ready to learn.
To learn more about 2020's most compelling research findings for educators, visit: The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2020