That preservation and recycling of unused school buildings to other community uses is both economically and socially sound is illustrated by several examples. Information on federal grants for conversion of unused school buildings to community education and activities centers is included. (MF)

The article outlines the content of a course in blueprint reading designed for those in or preparing for jobs in the construction trades. Course material can be divided into units and the units then grouped as modules, enabling the teacher to cover just the material needed for the particular class. (MF)

Discusses incorporating green design into school construction, asserting that schools can improve their impact on the environment and reduce their operating costs while educating people about the value of sustainable design. Addresses energy reduction (including daylighting), site design for low environmental impact, flexible design, indoor air…

Describes development of a hybrid modern-traditional Navajo hogan that meets religious and cultural needs and the needs of modern Southwestern living, and uses passive and active solar technologies. Discusses housing problems on the Navajo Reservation, and plans for a Native American Housing Center at University of Colorado, Boulder. (SV)

Modular construction of school buildings offers speed of construction, with 100 percent contractor responsibility for the completed structures. Under negotiated terms, modular projects can be purchased outright or through long-term leasing arrangements that provide ownership at the end of the lease period. (MLF)

Evaluating educational facilities requires utilizing an effective assessment process. The five key components of space adequacy are scheduling efficiency, design efficiency, technical capacity, practical capacity, site capacity, and suitability. Assessment of the physical adequacy of school building should explore the following areas:…

Presents recipients of the 1995 American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Buildings Awards Program. Most descriptions contain: names of the library, library director, and architects; library location; historical background; and building description including photographs, site plans, square footage, collection and…

A study investigated the purpose, composition, procedures, breadth of responsibility, and effectiveness of campus design review boards at seven public universities. The boards' primary objective has been to protect the existing quality of the campus environment and ensure all new construction contributes to the desired quality of campus life. (MSE)

An environmental studies center at Oberlin College (Ohio) was designed to instruct its users in ecological competence and the possibilities of ecological design applied to buildings, energy and waste systems, and landscapes. Students and faculty participated in the planning process, which included research into technologies and materials, high…

Describes how one institution took advantage of an innovative internship program to conduct an assessment of its utilities operations. Describes how the program worked, the implementation of a "hot and cold deck optimization" approach, the savings that resulted from implementation, and the ongoing benefits of facilities' assessment. (RJM)

Describes several schools that have embraced the trend toward smaller schools and shared facilities, resulting in higher student achievement and improved morale for students, faculty, and parents. (EV)

The present study intends to examine the overall situation and the environment of Aqaba University College (AUC) in relation to industrial-educational interaction, and to discuss existing and possible future industrial linkage strategies. This article presents observations from AUC, as well as suggestions for action on industrial linkage. The…

This discussion considers a new pre-service teacher education initiative at the University of Western Sydney, called "Classmates". "Classmates" aims to prepare pre-service teachers to work in diverse and challenging schools. The paper argues that the neo-liberal industrial model of mass teacher education may be limited in its…

What is the best use for tests? Testing should provide insight and information to educators and students. The primary purpose of testing is to inform teaching and learning. Yet, for too many schools, testing has been perverted to accommodate only measurement. Lesson plans are built around helping students pass the tests. In many instances, schools…

The government of New Zealand delegates property expenditure decisions to each individual school. Such a decentralised environment creates a challenge for school boards and principals to obtain advice on the complex issues around designing schools. To inform schools, the Ministry of Education provides numerous publications related to design and…