In 2010, unprecedented levels of resources began to flow through state education agencies (SEAs) to support dramatic change in persistently low-performing schools under the expanded federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) program. The challenge for states is to leverage the federal investment to drive dramatic and sustainable change efforts in…

This report from the Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities provides Congress with vital recommendations for improving the ability of postsecondary students with disabilities to obtain accessible instructional materials in a timely and cost-effective manner. Over…

"How do we recapture the magic and myth of education? ... to enable teachers to believe in their importance...so teachers and the public can rediscover the hope schools once held" (Deal and Patterson). The magic must continue in education in order to ensure that schools maintain a strong structure. Postmodernism views the world in such a way that…

This study explored how high school students negotiate school spaces beyond the classroom within a broader context of citizenship education and identity construction. Using visual hermeneutics, researchers worked over three years with students and staff in a large, diverse, urban, public high school. Through student-produced photographs of school…

As the first wave of baby boomers hit their "golden years," there is a growing demand for housing that meets their changing physical needs. The older and disabled population face a lot of physical challenges in a traditional home. Before homeowners can modify their houses, they must first understand the key design terminology involved.…

Healthful indoor air quality (IAQ) in education facilities can improve the learning environment for students, enhance teacher job satisfaction, and reduce staff complaints. A proactive indoor air quality program helps identify and eliminate conditions that could lead to IAQ complaints, building-related illnesses, and workers' compensation claims.…

This article talks about how the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) embraced a precedent-setting green policy that would forever change its approach to education. The "greenprint" for how environmental design and construction could be done mandates that all new buildings funded with at least half of the funds from its $2.2…

This article discusses a few steps to consider in building new instructional space where learning, creativity, and discovery occur. It is important to develop a vision of what the facility "could" be, given no boundaries to the imagination. Budgetary and size limitations must be taken into account, but initially, it is important to envision an…

The means of providing inexpensive educational facilities for early childhood care and education are presented in this report, which attempts to increase understanding of functional requirements and resource constraints. Contents include a discussion of child development relevant to physical facilities and specific accommodation requirements for…

This superinsulation housing curriculum consists of 14 sections that focus on showing how many household energy problems can be solved through modifications in the methods and materials used to build homes. Section 1 is an overview of low energy housing. The next 13 sections present the content of the curriculum. In addition to narrative…

This publication provides an overview of the energy crisis in schools. This overview has been written for school administrators who desire to understand their energy problems and to know what to do to conserve energy in their schools. Included are: (1) the impact of the energy crisis on the nation and the schools; (2) what state education agencies…

A profile is presented for a high school designed to house a closed circuit television system as a basic part of the instructional program. The description of the educational bases of the design emphasizes why the school was designed as it was and how it was designed and built. Schematics and photographs are included along with an evaluation of…

In considering the team approach to architectural service, emphasis is given to the advantages of many specialists working together to solve complex building problems. An actual use of the team approach is described to illustrate how Caudill, Rowlett and Scott Architects solved the problems in planning a science building for Colorado College. The…

Basic information and guidelines on the use of URBS components are provided for use by architects and engineers. The URBS system was developed in response to the competitive bidding on performance specifications, incorporating user requirements, economic constraints, industry capability and trade practices. The essence of the URBS Project--the…

Describes the design of the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, a partnership institution aimed at nontraditional students, including the educational context and design goals. Includes information on the architects, as well as a floor plan and photographs. (EV)