Cleanliness and Learning in Higher Education [PDF]

This national study of college students determined there is a correlation between the cleanliness of a school’s facilities and students’ academic achievement. Conducted through the Center for Facilities Research (CFaR) at APPA – the association promoting leadership in educational facilities – and co-sponsored by ISSA, the study was based around the five levels of clean identified in APPA’s Custodial Staffing Guidelines for Educational Facilities. Of the 1481 students polled, 88 percent reported that the lack of cleanliness becomes a distraction at APPA Level 3 (Casual Inattention) and Level 4 (Moderate Dinginess). Eighty-four percent reported that they desire APPA Level 1 (Orderly Spotlessness) or Level 2 (Ordinary Tidiness) standard of cleanliness to create a good learning environment. Cleanliness ranked as the fourth most important building element to impact the students’ personal learning.