School planning and design implicitly enters the realm of urban development when public school districts make land-use decisions on where to locate, construct, operate, maintain, and close their facilities. Moreover, schools and their campuses can impact the physical environment, influence urban design and development patterns, affect the local…

The purpose of this study was to examine the implications of the start-up experience for the evolution and sustainability of charter schools. I conducted interviews of founding members to identify the how design decisions were made, the successes and challenges that came about, and how these experiences informed school design. Interview data and…

This paper identifies approaches, challenges, and best practices related to planning and designing today's academic library learning spaces. As part of the Project Information Literacy (PIL) Practitioner Series, qualitative data is presented from 49 interviews conducted with a sample of academic librarians, architects, and library consultants.…

This study aims to inform the California Department of Education (CDE) in ensuring the standards contained in Title 5 appropriately promote the planning and design of healthy, safe and educationally suitable K-12 school facilities. The study gathers and analyzes K-12 facility standards in ten case study states across the country to understand…

The purpose of this study was to inform the California Department of Education (CDE) in ensuring the standards contained in Title 5 appropriately promote the planning and design of healthy, safe and educationally suitable K-12 school facilities. The study gathers and analyzes K-12 facility standards in other states across the country to understand…

The "Talking Stick" is published bimonthly, six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December by the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. Each issue is divided into three sections: Features, Columns, and Departments. These sections contain…

When one thinks of 21st century schools, one thinks of geometric modern architecture, sustainable building materials, and high-tech modular classrooms. It's rare, though, that a district has the space or the money to build that school from the ground up. Instead, the challenge for most is the transformation of the 20th century architecture to…

For many schools and universities, constructing a new facility isn't always a viable option. The envisioned facility may be too costly for a school system struggling with budget deficits. Maybe administrators can't find enough land in the right area to accommodate the type of facility needed. In some cases, the residents and businesses surrounding…

The author, who has retired as Scarsdale elementary principal, was asked by the superintendent Michael McGill if he was interested in leading Scarsdale's green initiative. Early on in Scarsdale, they referred to their work as the "green initiative." After agreeing to lead the initiative, he set out to learn more about greening at K-12…

This article highlights the results of various studies which show that new schools do improve student test scores. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching found that student attitudes about education directly reflect their learning environment. Specific building features related to human comfort have been shown to influence student…

Offers a sampling of historic preservation projects by school districts. Examples include New York City Public School 157; Edward Lee McClain High School in Greenfield, Ohio; Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida; and Colonial High School in Orange County, Florida. (EV)

In New York they say that the architecture of the new "Lycee francais" (serving French students from kindergarten through upper secondary education) was inspired by the rationalism of Descartes. What is beyond doubt, however, is that the design and materials chosen by the American firm of architects, "Polshek Partnership…

Discusses how architects successfully added a new 10,000 square-foot building, complete with glass-fronted library and skylit art room, to two existing structures built at different times and with different floor heights. Photos and a floorplan are included. (GR)

STATISTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEES, WITH EMPHASIS ON SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS, IS PRESENTED. THE STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM QUESTIONNAIRES SENT TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE, DISCUSSING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, DISTANCE FROM CLASS I CITIES, AND THE MAKE-UP OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS. (JH)

THIS GUIDE PROVIDES STEP BY STEP ASSISTANCE TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOL STAFF ARE EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND MAKING STUDIES OF THE SCHOOL POPULATION. ADVISORY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE AMONG THOSE CITED AS…