The Impact of School Building Conditions on Student Absenteeism in Upstate New York

This study investigated the conditions of school buildings in Upstate New York and examined the associations between school absenteeism and building condition problems. It employs statistical methods to measure the 2005 New York State Education Department student absenteeism data at the individual school level and evaluates associations between building conditions and absenteeism at or above the 90th percentile. Results indicated that student absenteeism was associated with visible mold, humidity, poor ventilation, vermin, six or more individual building condition problems, and building system or structural problems related to these conditions. Schools located in lower socioeconomic districts and those attended by younger students exhibited the strongest associations between poor building conditions and absenteeism.