The conversion of large urban high schools into small, focused learning centers is gaining currency as an education reform strategy. This publication provides guidelines, along with guiding questions, for those considering such a conversion. The first section explores the structural, organizational, and political challenges involved in converting…

This document presents prototypical educational specifications to guide the building and renovation of Idaho vocational schools so they can help communities meet the advanced, professional-technical programs of the future. The specifications start with points to consider when determining school site suitability. The document then sets forth…

This book provides a comprehensive model for creating student-friendly and learning-supportive campus environments, examining how the principles of effective person-environment interactions work through physical, aggregate, organizational, and socially-constructed environmental components. The chapters of Part 1, Types and Impacts of Campus…

This book discusses planning, designing, and implementing electronic classrooms. Chapters cover: (1) background, including the definition of electronic classrooms, classroom types, and justifications; (2) planning, including planners and the planning process; (3) gathering and analyzing information, including instructional needs assessment,…

This review explores which facility attributes affect academic outcomes the most and in what manner and degree. The research is examined in six categories: indoor air quality, ventilation, and thermal comfort; lighting; acoustics; building age and quality; school size; and class size. The review concludes that school facilities affect learning.…

This handbook introduces students to essential elements of preventing crime at school by making sure the design, use, and upkeep of the facility do not provide opportunities for criminal behavior--crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). It discusses how to identify problem areas and the steps to take to make sure these problems are…

This booklet is one architectural firm's presentation of understanding and applying the latest educational research in real-world settings. It asserts that achitects can make significant contributions to education by designing schools that uniquely facilitate improvements in organizational structure, learning methods, or both. It presents lessons…

The long range facilities planning (LRFP) process presents a wonderful opportunity for New Jersey's school districts to re-examine and strengthen their long term planning for educational adequacy in 21st century school facilities. It provides an opportunity for districts to work closely with the special education community to ensure that New…

This document contains the four issues of Northwest Education published from fall 2000 through summer 2001. Issue themes are: (1) "New Moves: PE Reinvents Itself" (Fall 2000); (2) "Think Small: Making Education More Personal" (Winter 2000); (3) "The Wild Blue Yonder: Charter Schools Fly into the Unknown" (Spring…

The Wake County Public School System has published its guidelines for planning and design of functional, cost effective, and durable educational facilities that are attractive and enhance the students' educational experience. The guidelines present basic planning requirement and design criteria for the entire construction process, including: codes…

This 7:50-minute videotape describes the architectural design and structure of the Roy Lee Walker Elementary School, illustrating why the school is considered the most energy efficient and environmentally sound school ever built. The videotape highlights the sustainable, award-winning design features such as the innovative use of daylight to…

This report examines the relations between school design and student productivity and informs policy decisions. It contains three analytic sections: an analysis of school facilities characteristics and student productivity, a review of other research examining school facilities and student productivity, and an analysis of the need for school…

This book presents a theoretical and practical portrayal of how, when, and why public school districts build new schools. Based on extensive data analysis and a comprehensive review of the literature, the book specifies school district reorganization and the subsequent steps necessary to implement plans. It discusses how school districts relate to…

This videotape highlights the extent to which school buildings are deteriorating in America and the problems this causes for teaching and learning, describes the Energy Smart School campaign, and details the factors needed in building an Energy Smart School. To build schools that last and to recoup some of the building expense, it suggests…

This study determined if the required use of state-adopted education specifications guidelines when constructing or modernizing urban high school facilities had resulted in more adequate housing for programs than in states without such guidelines. A 1991 survey of high school classroom teachers was returned by 8 schools totaling 113 respondents.…