Lighting Increases Achievement

New Lighting increases achievement in schools and at home “ And it is available to you and your family.

A recent article entitled: "Learning the Hard Way: The Poor Environment of America's Schools" (Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 110, No.6, June, 2002) claims that "Children across the country are being subjected to a variety of environmental dangers at school¦" including lighting. According to the article, "research has also shown that there is a significant effect of poor lighting on children's ability to learn. Sunlight is important for human health. Children who spend large amounts of time in artificial lighting may be missing out on some of sunlight's benefits."

According to the article, lights or lamps which mimic natural daylight improve learning conditions and are far superior to the current, 70 year-old technology of "cool-white" fluorescent ceiling lights. "For example¦(the article states)¦a two-year study of six schools in Johnston County, North Carolina, compared children attending schools with full-spectrum light with those attending traditionally lit classrooms. Students in full-spectrum light were healthier overall and attended school 3.2 to 3.8 days more per year. They also exhibited more positive moods. The study also showed that libraries with superior light had significantly lower noise levels. A study of students in Capistrano School District in Orange County, California showed that students in classrooms with the most natural light progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% faster on reading tests in one year than those with the least amount of daylight."

Pediatrician Doris Rapp, M.D. states in her best selling book, Is This Your Child's World? that "The best lighting for schools (and elsewhere) is natural light. But in many classrooms, students spend about six hours a day beneath (cool white) fluorescent lights. These ordinary fluorescent lights can emit X-rays, radiation and radio waves “ emissions that can decrease productivity and cause fatigue, confusion, eyestrain, irritability, depression and hyperactivity in some sensitive children (and adults¦). A study of one classroom concluded that hyperactivity declined by 33 percent when full-spectrum lighting (www.bluemaxlighting.com) replaced fluorescent lights."

Several JROTC programs, along with the oldest historically Black High School in the United States in urban Baltimore, Md., have installed the full spectrum replacement bulbs at a school discount from www.fullspectrumsolutions.com. Senior instructor, Col. Jim McGrory wrote a grant to obtain the small amount of funds required and replaced the lights with the new innovative daylight bulbs from www.fullspectrumsolutions.com and wrote, "I installed the full spectrum lights recommended by Dr. Martel¦. I had a number of Attention Deficit cadets who were always moving around the room and not concentrating on their assignments. I was amazed that from the first day I turned on the full spectrum lights, these cadets stayed in their seats and on task"

Maj. Joe Tolbert and Sgt. James Locklear at St. Paul's High School in North Carolina equipped one of their two classrooms with the innovative lighting. They said the cadets routinely move to that room whenever possible as they prefer working under the new light. Also, two thirds of the school was retrofitted with the new lights, and along with IntelliLearn â training from the National Academy of Integrative Learning, Inc. student performance rose from 43 % passing state tests to 70% passing within a two year period.

As reported in the book, The Seven Secrets of Learning Revealed, by JROTC Cadet Command instructional design consultant, Dr. L.D. Martel, the Arco, Idaho elementary school replaced old, cool-white fluorescent bulbs with the new full-spectrum lights and saw their special education student referrals drop 66%, while increasing performance on state test scores. They also reported that staff and teacher eyestrain, headaches, anxiety and other illnesses were reduced as a result. In a North Carolina High School, Principal Steve Gaskins reported replacing the outmoded lights with full-spectrum lights from www.fullspectrumsolutions.com and saw student state test scores rise from 40 % passing to 70% passing in just two years.

On a personal basis, an academic tutor, V. Udrys, wrote to the inventor of the BlueMax™ lamp, Mike Nevins, which brings daylight indoors: "Your (BlueMax™ Lamp) is wonderful. As a tutor, I spend too much time within the house. My eyes had grown "dim" tired and sensitive to light. I longed for sunlight, but needed to wear tints, even at home. The first day I couldn't get enough of the lamp. My eyes felt better immediately! I liked these products so much I have purchased three more and located them on each level of our home."

Moreover, these lights help the aging population of retirees whose eyes function far better under these new, innovative lights. Teachers all over the country claim they have no headaches, more energy and less frustration with the full spectrum, ParaLite™ and BlueMax™ lighting products.

Why do these lights and lamps work so well?

I spoke with the inventor, Mr. Mike Nevins of Jackson, Michigan. He said that the "Paralite™ and BlueMax™ Lamps have a special blend of phosphors which mimic sunlight. Consequently, the pupil in the eye is reduced in size and can see clearer with less strain. Also, this lamp stimulates a newly discovered "photo-receptor" which reduces frustration, anxiety and stress." He went on to detail the structure of this new innovation, saying that: "All floor and desk lamps come with a brand new, special blend of five color phosphors in a 70 watt full spectrum light bulb. This special blend has been documented in research labs to enable people to perform tasks better and to see crisp, clear colors as they appear outdoors under the noon-day sunlight. Although equal to a 300 watt halogen, the 70 watt BlueMax™ light has no heat and uses far less energy. In addition, there is a fully dimmable switch which reduces intensity by 90%. This adjustment allows the student to adjust light to the needs and comfort. The overhead ceiling replacements create bright and positive mood for learning, concentration and achievement."

So, whether you are an instructor or student, there is new lighting which can improve performance, test scores and achievement for individuals, as well as entire schools. For further information, go to the web site or contact the company for purchase information and school discount.