Environmental Impact, Successes, and Challenges of a Statewide Green Schools Program

Abstract

This paper evaluates the affect that Green School programs have on their local environment. The design of this study includes the assumption that Green School programs not only benefit students and teachers—while developing their environmental literacy and environmental stewardship—but that the program also provides essential ecological improvements. To perform this assessment, data excel sheets submitted by Maryland Green Schools (MDGS) from 2014-2019 were assessed to quantify environmental parameters and to demonstrate environmental advantages produced by this Green School program. Additionally, representatives from exemplar Greens Schools and random Green Schools across the state of Maryland were interviewed in order to identify factors contributing to the success of the Green Schools program as well as any challenges or barriers green schools are facing.