Although the physical environment of schools seems to affect the attitude and behavior of students and teachers, there is little scientific proof to support this belief. Two substantial studies have attempted to synthesize available research on the topic. First, an effort by Carol Weinstein has gathered significant data concerning spatial behavior and the effect of student density on student attitudes, yet no consistent evidence existed regarding the impact of the environment on student achievement. In a second study by Carroll McGuffey, the only conclusive research involved the relationship of crowding, the age of the school building, and the visual, acoustical, and thermal environment to student behavior and learning activities. Foreknowledge of the effect of the environment on individuals is possible through the research of certain variables, but the deficiency of research renders generalization difficult. Consequently, more research must be done; more research must be synthesized; special designs should be developed to produce useful results; variables should be controlled and isolated; and limits on the comparison of studies should be compensated. A more quantitative strategy to synthesize research results is meta-analysis. The concentration of this technique on individual variables allows researchers to address areas needing further research. Included are seven references. (RG)