The study done for the report also found increased faculty satisfaction — 83 percent of K-12 and 85 percent of university leaders — as a result of teaching in a green school.

Nearly one-third of K-12 school leaders reported reduced student absenteeism. Student engagement and attentiveness also improved because of increased access to natural light and improved building acoustics, the report said.

McGraw-Hill Construction's Dodge Green Construction Outlook said 54 percent of education construction was green in 2012. That was up from 30 percent in 2008.