CHPS Core Criteria v3.0 Open for 2nd Public Review

  • 03/06/19

Sacramento, Calif. – The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) has opened its Core Criteria v3.0 for a second public review period. CHPS will be accepting public comments March 6, through Monday, March 25, 2018. The third edition of the school-oriented green building rating system builds upon the CHPS 2014 Core Criteria guidelines (v2.0-2.2) currently in practice and incorporates recent changes in construction and building materials technology. It also adds additional credits to specifically address lowering school buildings’ carbon footprint through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promoting resiliency to climate change.

The CHPS Core Criteria, and its state and regional versions, are the first green building rating programs developed especially for school learning environments. These guidelines continue to be the only school-specific rating system that prioritizes student performance in its monitoring and benchmarking tools. The criteria address site and materials selection, energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, waste reduction, and operations management. They also provide sustainable policies and innovations that can be adopted by schools and districts.

“CHPS supports healthy, high performance schools through its Core Criteria, which set robust standards for schools for indoor air quality, natural lighting, acoustics, energy efficiency, and use of clean building materials. All of these not only make our school buildings safer and healthier, but also provide beautiful, comfortable, and stimulating spaces for our children to learn and thrive,” said Elisabeth Krautscheid, managing director of CHPS.

“Our experience has proven that kids learn better in healthy, well designed and operated schools. The Collaborative for High Performance Schools works with school districts and industry practitioners across the U.S. to foster the development and implementation of national and regional standards for K-12 educational facilities to ensure that every child has the best possible learning environment with the smallest impact on the planet.”

CHPS Core Criteria update process is developed and maintained by the CHPS National Technical Committee. The Committee establishes and maintains rigorous high-performance national standards and best practices resources in a transparent and collaborative process, solidifying the CHPS commitment to healthy, efficient, and environmentally sound facilities that enhance the educational environment for all schoolchildren and educators.

What is New in the Third Edition 

The third edition of the CHPS Core Criteria features an all new format with improved readability and organization. The 2018 update includes a deep review of all 2014 criteria and updated references to external standards. Several criteria have been substantially rewritten to reflect changes in technology and current professional best practices. Six new credits have been added, which include: Energy Resiliency, Design for Adaptation & Resilience, Low/Zero Carbon Schools, Enhanced Ventilation, Circadian Lighting, and Lead-Free Plumbing. And, an emphasis on climate resilience and adaptability is added throughout. 

The CHPS recognition programs, CHPS Designed TM and CHPS Verified TM, have been enhanced to better accommodate non-classroom projects (to acknowledge their variety and value) and additions (as part of larger-scope renovations or new construction). Overall, the Core Criteria v3.0 proves to be the most comprehensive and technical update that CHPS has undergone in its history.

How to Submit Review Comments

All members of the public are welcome to review the draft Core Criteria v3.0 and submit their comments. CHPS members and stakeholders are especially encouraged to participate in this process, which include architects, engineers, building professionals, green product manufacturers, utilities, government regulators, advocacy groups, researchers, schools, districts, teachers, students, and parents.

Access the Draft Core Criteria v3.0. 

Submit your comments via an online Core Criteria Comment Form.

If you have any problems submitting your comments, please contact CHPS at comments@chps.net or 415-957-9888 for technical assistance.

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