Outlines some of the myriad factors affecting a facility's indoor air quality (IAQ). Offers strategies for addressing complaints, establishing trust, adjusting guidelines, addressing legislative concerns, and plotting a course for improved IAQ. Describes how one state was able to implement an IAQ program for its schools. (RJM)

Discusses how attempts to establish a more comprehensive standard have undermined indoor air quality and energy efficiency revisions. Describes the Building Owners and Managers Association's major opposition to the revisions and their complaint that the revisions would require drastic changes in structures. Summarizes the debate about what to do…

Offers different school administrators' opinions on issues affecting education. Focuses on the Americans with Disabilities Act, school administration, business offices, contract services, energy concerns, school facilities, furniture and furnishings, hazardous materials, indoor air quality, lighting, maintenance, physical education, purchasing,…

Describes the building designs of 117 state-of-the-art of college athletic and recreational facilities, including the educational contexts and design goals. Includes information on architects and designers, construction cost, size, and occupancy date. Also provides photographs. (EV)

This article describes a unit of instruction designed to promote a conceptual understanding of area in sixth-grade students. Students used benchmarks to estimate the areas of real houses and calculated the areas of houses based on building plans. (Contains 7 figures.)

This article is part of a series that has offered insight on planning a facilities project, hiring professionals, delivery system options and owner's responsibilities. In this article, the author focuses on some of the planning and design concepts one may be asked to consider in providing direction to his design and construction team. These…

Since 1998, the Department of Education and Science has been using a process of design, awareness, research and technology known as DART to develop energy efficiency in educational buildings. Currently all primary schools built in accordance with the Department's primary schools technical guidance documents are capable of being up to 2.3 times…

Many environmental advocates say education institutions can do a much better job of conserving resources and using energy more efficiently. Before administrators and facility managers can be convinced that better energy management is beneficial, they have to grasp what energy efficiency entails. This article discusses the benefits that schools can…

Today's educators require flexible spaces that can accommodate multiple functions and future demands. They need spaces that enhance modern teaching methods and a student's personal development. Architecture by itself cannot provide a good education, but the environment it creates may impact a student's well-being and ability to learn. Educators…

This document reports the development of a system of mass-produced standardized components for school construction. The project was originated and implemented to solve a problem connected with the heavy demand for schools that confronted the Montreal Catholic School Board. The report outlines the problem -- a need for schools -- and gives details…

The comfort zone model is widespread within adventure education literature. It is based on the belief that when placed in a stressful situation people will respond by overcoming their fear and therefore grow as individuals. This model is often presented to participants prior to activities with a highly perceived sense of risk and challenge which…

Data-based decision making has been the mantra of the school reform movement since the late 1980s, but California does not yet have an effective system for collecting and using vital school information. California has taken a number of steps to address this shortcoming. These include the Public School Accountability Act of 1999 and Senate bills…

Life, in general, is a series of ever-increasing challenges. Ideally, the lessons learned from previous experiences prepare a person for future ones. That isn't always the case, particularly when puberty hits. Despite the many environmental and personal variables converging at the same time, schools can be instrumental in guiding teens through…

An insatiable appetite for energy, a burgeoning world population, and a heightened awareness of climate change are focusing global attention on sustainability, an issue that may very well determine the future course of civilization. The pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle today is of paramount importance for future generations. Achieving…

This policy statement presents a vision for a "new deal" to guide reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA). First, states must continue to lead the way with bold, thoughtful education reforms to ensure that all students graduate from high school ready for college and career. This includes developing and…