Although focused on teaching and learning, education must also address the need to
maintain a safe, secure, and healthy school environment. The capacity of children to learn is
impeded if their school environment contains elements which are hazardous to their health.
The State Education Department and educators throughout the State of New York have a
responsibility to assure the school community and the public that, based on the best
available knowledge, school buildings are safe, healthy, clean and in good repair.
In December 1994, the New York State Board of Regents adopted the following
guiding principles developed by the Regents Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality
in Schools:
þ Every child has a right to an environmentally safe and healthy learning environment
which is clean and in good repair.
þ Every child, parent, and school employee has a "right to know" about environmental
health issues and hazards in their school environment.
þ School officials and appropriate public agencies should be held accountable for
environmental safe and healthy school facilities.
þ Schools should serve as role models for environmentally responsible behavior.
þ Federal, State, local, and private sector entities should work together to ensure that
resources are used effectively and efficiently to address environmental health and
safety concerns.
O:\USER\LBROWN\NYC\GUIDING.PRI July 28, 1995