Schools as Partners in Lead Safety

Here's what we know about lead in school

January 2019 Early Childhood Lead Exposure among Cleveland Kindergarteners by Neighborhood and School Enrollment  by Rob Fischer, Ph.D., Stephen Steh, M.A., & Tsui Chan 

Key points:  

• Having an elevated blood lead level in early childhood is associated with an increased risk of academic and behavioral problems when children become school age.  

• Approximately one-quarter of kindergarteners in the Cleveland school district arrive at school with a history of elevated lead according to a blood test.  

• There is wide variation by school in the percentage of entering children that have a history of an elevated lead level, reflecting underlying neighborhood differences in lead exposure  

• Schools with higher proportions of kindergartners with an elevated lead history may face particular challenges in meeting their educational needs.  

• Preventive efforts to reduce childhood lead exposure in neighborhoods would lessen impacts on children and the schools where they enroll

What's the News

August 25, 2023. Ideastream Public Media Cleveland schools announce town halls, listening sessions with new CEO.

Aug. 17, 2023. WTVG. Toledo Public Schools is offering free blood lead testing at a lead safety seminar this week. The seminar will take place on Aug. 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Escuela SMART Academy located at 617 Western Ave. TPS says Escuela SMART Academy will host free educational sessions, both in English and Spanish, on the dangers of lead poisoning and ways to reduce and prevent exposure to lead. Scientists with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be at the event for the presentations. In addition to the free blood lead testing, TPS says dinner will also be provided.

June 29, 2023. Signal Cleveland. Outgoing CMSD chief Eric Gordon says ‘hidden Cleveland’ still holding back students "In Eric Gordon’s view, there are still “two Clevelands.” In one Cleveland, choice abounds and students can take advantage of hundreds of great opportunities to thrive from grade school to career. The other, what he calls a “hidden Cleveland,” is distinguished by poverty, the effects of lead poisoning, housing instability, and other issues showing the persistence of systemic racism that holds students back from reaching their potential."

Related: May 18, 2023. Signal Cle. Warren Morgan’s 100 day plan for Cleveland Schools. "Cleveland Schools’ next CEO, Warren Morgan, came to his job interviews prepared. Most notably, he brought a plan for his first 100 days on the job. Now that he’s in, Signal Cleveland asked for a copy. In a series of PowerPoint slides, Morgan outlines his ideas for a district-wide listening tour and “culture audit” of each district school. Morgan’s first 100 days officially begin July 1."

CLASH Recommends

1. Test schools for lead hazards. The 2016 test results need to be retested and addressed. Here's what we know. 

2. Resume child lead testing for kindergarten and pre-K enrollees.

3.  Support Individual Educational Plans for students who have elevated blood lead levels or who have had EBLLs in the past.

Questions for Dr. Morgan

1. When will CMSD conduct a lead risk assessment on all schools built before 1978? A lead risk assessment is more than a visual inspection of paint. Lead Risk Assessment includes dust wipes, water samples and soil tests of bare soil on or adjacent to school property. Here are the EPA recommended procedures for Schools and Child Care Centers.

2. When will CMSD resume testing all children entering Pre-K and Kindergarten?

3. When will CMSD follow CDC guidelines for children with a history of elevated blood lead levels?