Average absorption coefficient as a measure of classroom acoustics sound quality

ANSI S12.60 is currently under active revision, with the final copy scheduled for release in 2026. The room acoustics criteria have been reviewed and modified to reflect the consensus of a multidisciplinary expert group that included audiologists, acoustical consultants, engineers, and academic researchers. The mid-frequency average absorption coefficient is proposed as a measure of sound quality in classrooms, where the minimum design criteria for learning spaces is 0.25. This paper will examine the reasoning behind this fundamental change and explore its implications.