Heatwaves are melting students' ability to learn these subjects

Zoom in: The new systematic review of seven studies found that students' cognitive abilities were most likely to be impacted when doing complex tasks like math, over more "simpler ones" like reading.

• An analysis of over 12,000 U.S. districts found that long-term exposure to high temperatures during the day specifically reduced students' mathematics scores by 11%.
• Lower-income students are 6.2% more likely to attend schools with inadequate air conditioning when compared to those who live in high-income areas.
• One study estimated that by 2050, a potential temperature increase of 1.5°C (2.7° F) in the U.S. could reduce the performance of elementary school students, as measured by math and English tests grades, by 9.8%, if no adaptation measures are taken.

Yes, but: Adaption by increasing the use of air conditioning appears to be successful at reducing the cognitive effects, as Axios has previously reported.

• "Without air conditioning, each 1° F increase in school year temperature reduces the amount learned that year by one percent," a separate study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found.
• A 2024 report from the Center for American Progress estimated that it'll cost more than $4.4 billion nationally for tens of thousands of public schools to install or upgrade energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to meet increased cooling needs.

Zoom out: Millions of American children are attending school in "urban heat zones," according to a recent report by environmental advocacy group Climate Central.

• The group studied America's 65 largest cities, reviewing data collected from nearly 6.2 million enrolled students among more than 12,000 schools.
• Roughly 76% of students live in places where the built environment around them adds at least an additional 8°F of heat.

Go deeper: Millions of U.S. kids attend schools in "urban heat zones"