GAO Review Highlights Poor Air Quality in US Schools

A new federal report reveals that ventilation issues are causing widespread school closures across the nation.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Asthma

GAO Review Highlights Poor Air Quality in US Schools

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Should your local school district be required to implement regular indoor air quality monitoring?

A Government Accountability Office review finds that nearly 50% of school districts faced significant facility operations issues during the 2024-25 school year. Poor indoor air quality led to school cancellations for 2 million students and 3.5 million days of lost instruction.

Why it matters

Inadequate ventilation and air quality can negatively impact student attention, attendance, and overall academic performance. Addressing these environmental conditions is central to ongoing efforts to stabilize the classroom learning experience.

A 2025 Boston University study identified critical gaps in systematic indoor air quality monitoring. These findings accompany a yearly expenditure of $78 billion on school facility operations across the United States.

The players

Government Accountability Office

This is a nonpartisan federal agency that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services to the United States Congress.

Environmental Protection Agency

This is a federal regulatory body responsible for protecting human health and the environment by drafting and enforcing environmental laws.

Boston University

This is a private research university that conducts academic inquiries into public health and institutional monitoring standards.

The details

The proposed Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to provide science-based voluntary guidelines and technical support. This legislation aims to assist districts in managing facility challenges that have disrupted learning for millions of students.

During the 2024-25 school year, the GAO reviewed air quality issues.
A Boston University study on monitoring gaps was published in 2025.

The Big Picture

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 provides a legislative framework for the EPA to support school infrastructure, which follows the findings of the GAO review. This proposal represents a shift toward federal oversight to address facility-related disruptions.

Improved air quality standards could reduce asthma-related absenteeism for students and minimize health-related interruptions to the school calendar. These systemic changes may lead to cleaner classroom environments, directly affecting student wellness and daily attendance habits.

The takeaway

Maintaining air quality is a foundational aspect of public education that directly correlates with the ability to keep classrooms open. Districts should prioritize long-term ventilation upgrades to mitigate the risk of future instructional losses.