School heatwaves are eroding students' ability to learn, studies show

A massive report studying nearly 14.5 million students in 61 countries found that long-term heat exposure is interfering with students' abilities to learn —and prolonged heat streaks are only getting worse. Why it matters: Increasingly high temperatures are worsening disparate educational outcomes, with the potential for long-term impacts on graduation rates and cognitive ability to grow as the globe continues to warm.Zoom in: The new systematic review of seven studies found that students' cognitive abilities were most likely to be impacted when doing complex tasks like math, over more "simpler ones" like reading. An analysis of over 12,000 U.S. districts found that long-term exposure to high temperatures during the day specifically reduced students' mathematics scores by 11%. Lower-income students are 6.2% more likely to attend schools with inadequate air conditioning when compared to those who live in high-income areas.One study estimated that by 2050, a potential temperature increase of 1.5°C (2.7° F) in the U.S. could reduce the performance of elementary school students, as measured by math and English tests grades, by 9.8%, if no adaptation measures are taken. Yes, but: Adaption by increasing the use of air conditioning appears to be successful at reducing the cognitive effects, as Axios has previously reported."Without air conditioning, each 1° F increase in school year temperature reduces the amount learned that year by one percent," a separate study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found. A 2024 report from the Center for American Progress estimated that it'll cost more than $4.4 billion nationally for tens of thousands of public schools to install or upgrade energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to meet increased cooling needs.Zoom out: Millions of American children are attending school in "urban heat zones," according to a recent report by environmental advocacy group Climate Central. The group studied America's 65 largest cities, reviewing data collected from nearly 6.2 million enrolled students among more than 12,000 schools.Roughly 76% of students live in places where the built environment around them adds at least an additional 8°F of heat. Go deeper: Millions of U.S. kids attend schools in "urban heat zones"

Comments

World news

Third Heathrow runway means ‘inevitable’ ticket price hikes, passengers warned

The i Paper

Comments

Similar News

Tax-free holidays 2025: Back-to-school sales tax weekends launch in these states

Trump signs executive order to bring back presidential fitness test in schools

Uvalde schools adding AI gun detectors three years after Texas shooter killed 19 kids

After-school carer charged with producing child abuse material at six facilities across northern Sydney

‘True visionary’ theatre school founder Sylvia Young dies aged 86

EXCLUSIVE: NYC shooter fixated on NFL with CTE claims took ‘big hits’ in high school, former teammate says

Must-have back-to-school organization tools to start the year right

Schools could soon deploy a ‘campus guardian angel’ drone defense system against shootings

NFL-targeting killer Shane Tamura took ‘big hits’ to the head on high school football field, former teammate says

Nursery school teacher 'raped and drowned her partner's four-year-old daughter by sitting on her in bath'

New York gunman may have been targeting NFL offices, was L.A. high school football standout

Best back to school sales you don’t want to miss

Manhattan shooting latest: 4 dead in NFL HQ building as cops identify gunman as former high school football star

North Sydney council votes in favour of potential sale of public street to elite private school Shore

The ultimate back-to-school supplies checklist

How new Ofsted rating system will affect house prices near top schools

School-leavers losing their lives for Russia in Putin's war with Ukraine

Florida school board chair apologizes after mocking Hulk Hogan’s death on Facebook

6 best backpacks for back to school at all ages

I was the only girl in an all boys school – here’s what I learned about men

World news

Third Heathrow runway means ‘inevitable’ ticket price hikes, passengers warned

How to grow your own blueberries – and save a fortune on supermarket prices

Three chef-approved recipes for summer evenings, from lobster salad to club sarnies

How to cut out UPFs and reduce your shopping bill, according to The Batch Lady

Five indoor activities everyone should do over summer (without feeling guilty)

Why Starmer’s Gaza move is ‘too little too late’ to counter Corbyn’s threat

Starmer has forgotten the human rights lawyer he used to be with his Palestine plan

UK beef and milk ‘at risk’ as farmers in row with Miliband over methane cuts

I moved to the lesser-known part of southern Spain untouched by mass tourism

Six European holiday hotspots loved by locals, without British tourist crowds

'My neighbours made a petition to get rid of my dogs so kids can play in my garden'

Watch: Hot dog spill clogs US highway

A tug of war between planes and kites in Indonesia's skies

Manhunt under way after 4 killed in Montana bar shooting

Hot dog spill shuts down Pennsylvania highway

Animal shelters surge with abandoned pets after owners are detained or deported in ICE immigration raids

Columbia Sportswear sues Columbia University claiming merchandise is too similar and causes confusion

Not just Big Bird: What to know about the Center for Public Broadcasting and its funding cuts

Project Gaslight extortion arsonist pleads guilty to torching Edmonton homes

Bombers break out of losing streak with 40-31 win over Argos

'I died for seven minutes in hospital - here's exactly what I saw on the other side'

And Just Like That... Sex and the City reboot's third season to be its last

Photos From a Gaza Airdrop

A Bid to Undo a Colonial-Era Wrong Touches a People’s Old Wounds

Caffeine craze warning after pouches gain in popularity with teens

Mystery grows as California mom-of-four and 8-month-old daughter remain missing after two week search

AI is already replacing thousands of jobs per month, report finds

Witt, Wacha pace Royals in 9-3 win over Jays

Chess grandmaster Carlsen wins at Esports World Cup

After a blown deadline, what next for US-Canada trade?

‘Fire clouds’ springing up around the Grand Canyon

El Salvador's Congress approves indefinite presidential reelection and extends presidential terms to 6 years

Thailand returns 2 wounded soldiers to Cambodia but continues to hold 18 of their comrades

Attacks in China and Japan raise concerns about xenophobia in both countries

Putin says Russia's hypersonic missile has entered service and will be deployed in Belarus

Two pubs claim to be London's oldest riverside pub. Which one is right?

Colombian ex-President Álvaro Uribe is sentenced to 12 years house arrest for bribery

Alleged leader of Mexican kidnapping ring released after nearly 20 years in prison

Court limits Italy's fast-track return of rejected asylum seekers to 'safe' countries

Mali's ex-prime minister is arrested for supporting jailed critics of the ruling military junta

Tax-free holidays 2025: Back-to-school sales tax weekends launch in these states

Russian tourists are holidaying at a new North Korean seaside resort - but what's it really like?

Bieber excited to join Jays, return to mound

Winnipeg’s summer of smoke filled with toxins

Dry July: Metro Vancouver got half the precipitation it usually does last month

As Trump hikes tariffs, B.C. jobs minister urges Carney to ‘negotiate hard’

Twelve years house arrest for Colombian ex-leader Álvaro Uribe

They escaped Ukraine's frontlines. The sound of drones followed them

North Korea sent me abroad to be a secret IT worker. My wages funded the regime

Jeremy Bowen: 'Thank you, but it's too late': Why some Palestinians aren't convinced by Starmer's promise

Trump fires lead official on economic data as tariffs cause market drop

Jane Austen Fans Celebrate the Beloved English Author's 250th Birthday

Commercial boat owners say Kelowna city fees unfair, bad for tourism

Tesla must pay $329 million for a deadly crash involving Autopilot, jury says

Murdered ‘American Idol’ executive met with the police one day prior as new details emerge on deadly break-in

‘First Amendment has limits’: Tom Homan insists that Mahmoud Khalil will be deported

‘Revolving door’ between ICE and private prison companies is boosting Trump’s deportation plans

Jeremy Bowen: 'Thank you, but it's too late': Why some Palestinians aren't convinced by Starmer's promise