Standards for Acoustical Environments in Educational Settings

The development and recent adoption of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S12.60-2002 Acoustical Standards for classrooms and other school facilities is a significant milestone in the development of acoustical environments that support optimal listening and learning conditions in educational settings. The standards were developed by a group of more than 50 working group members representing more than 20 disciplines and areas of interest and expertise.

Until such time as the new ANSI standards are mandated into law as an enforceable architectural requirement in school buildings throughout the nation, continuing efforts must be made to draw attention to the importance of acoustics and noise control in school facilities and the tremendous impact it has on improving academic achievement.

This issue of Seminars in Hearing is a heartwarming demonstration of the continuing collaboration of the experts in the various fields to educate and inform society about why acoustics must be the focus of increasing attention in the educational process.