August 29, 2005—Teachers believe we need to do more to make our classrooms cleaner and healthier for our children, according to research revealed recently at the American Medical Association’s Back-to-School: Child & Adolescent Health briefing in New York City.
Findings from a new survey, “Clean Up the Classroom Scholastic Survey: Teachers Tell All,” reveals that more than two-thirds of the teachers surveyed report that their school’s custodial staff does not disinfect their classrooms regularly. America’s teachers also report that cleaning their classrooms has become their own responsibility and challenge. Nearly 50 percent of those surveyed report they regularly clean and disinfect their classrooms themselves.
The American Institute of Health reports that the common cold results in students missing 22 million days annually. Teachers surveyed also complain they get sick from their students: nearly three-quarters believe they have missed school because of an illness spread from a student. America’s teachers recognize the correlation between classroom germs and illness; nearly all the teachers surveyed think germs on classroom surfaces contribute to the spread of illness during the school year. Additionally, 92 percent of teachers believe that regular disinfecting in classrooms can result in fewer absences caused by illness.
The Clean Up the Classroom Scholastic Survey: Teachers Tell All was conducted using a grant from The Clorox Company via Scholastic during June and July 2005. A total of 614 surveys were completed among teachers who taught full-time during the 2004-2005 school year. The findings have a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
Clorox is providing tips and tools for teachers to help expel germs from the classroom. For more information on promoting a healthy classroom, teachers can sign up at the Web site to receive a free “Clean Up the Classroom Starter Kit” and sample of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.
