Provides guidelines to follow in drawing up a contract with a school architect. Once the architect has been selected, a clear definition of mutual expectations and schedules must be outlined and documented in the contract. (TE)

Special learning environments for severely handicapped students can seldom be justified. Specially designed and often extravagantly costly physical space, which does not provide adequate opportunity for the generalization of functional skills to unmodified settings, should be viewed skeptically. The use of natural environments, without expensive…

A response to an article (EC 160 670) questioning the justification of special learning environments for severely handicapped persons comments on the importance of autonomy and choice--two features lacking in the traditional institutional environment. (CL)

An outdated 40-year-old school auditorium in the Argo Community High School was remodeled into a functional multimedia facility responsive to modern teaching techniques. (Author/MLF)

When Yale University needed a new lecture hall and auditorium, lack of space brought a novel solution--a 400-seat addition underground, irregularly shaped to save the trees overhead. (Author)

Drew University will save money by consolidating all service operations in one building now under construction. (Author/MLF)

Asserting that the strategy of incremental seismic rehabilitation makes it possible for schools to get started now on improving earthquake safety, this manual provides school administrators with the information necessary to assess the seismic vulnerability of their buildings and to implement a program of incremental seismic rehabilitation for…

This "IssueTrak" discusses an increasing interest in verifying the installation and performance of building systems prior to delivery and final acceptance by the building owner. This interest in quality assurance has spawned a new and distinct professional construction discipline referred to as building commissioning. The principal objective of…

This publication contains a step-by-step guide for implementing an energy-saving project in local school districts: the installation of newer, more energy-efficient "T-8" fluorescent tube lights in place of "T-12" lights. Eleven steps are explained in detail: (1) find out what kind of lights the school district currently uses;…

This document presents the Georgia Department of Education's submittal requirements for documents addressing the planning and construction of educational facilities. Requirements cover such areas as project funding sources, copies and format, site plan, floor plans, elevations and sections, construction delivery method, and heating, air…

This series of articles examines the condition of public schools and public school construction in Florida's Miami and Dade Counties. To prepare the series, the Miami Herald studied thousands of pages of construction records, correspondence, school district reports, and accounting statements over 15 years. It analyzed state and national…

This document consists of a collection of fact sheets about the use of pesticides in schools and how to reduce it. The sheets are: (1) "Alternatives to Using Pesticides in Schools: What Is Integrated Pest Management?"; (2) "Health Effects of 48 Commonly Used Pesticides in Schools"; (3) "The Schooling of State Pesticide…

This document presents case studies of three schools or districts in Oregon that have implemented steps to promote energy efficiency. Steps taken by the schools include daylighting, energy audits, special energy loans, new ventilation design, and sustainable building practices. The facilities described are Ash Creek Intermediate School in…

This paper explores problems involving expertise of design participants and the design process hampering the creation of high quality child care facilities that promote child development. Problems addressed include architects and designers needing more knowledge of child development and operation of child care centers, the inability of those who…

The graduate of the Tilesetter apprenticeship program is a certified journeyperson who will be able to: (1) know the principles of sound and safe construction; (2) know the characteristics and proper use of tilesetting materials; (3) read blueprints, shop drawings and calculate quantities of materials; (4) be proficient in the safe use and…