COVID-19 presents novel and unprecedented challenges to our society. The pandemic is placing our economic system, our system of government and every sector and area of human life under great stress, and forcing us to raise to the challenge in new ways. Education is no exception. Educating students, ensuring they make progress, and safeguarding…

The advantages and disadvantages of five alternative ways of using surplus space available to school systems. (Author)

Examines security issues that planners must address at the programming and schematic design phase in key areas of the school building. They include the front door, safe halls and stairs, positive classrooms, and secure assembly. (EV)

The nation's school buildings are generally in poor repair. This article summarizes the 1987 Council of the Great City Schools Report's observations, statistics, and list of budgetary considerations associated with technology, educational programs, building utilization, equipment needs, and priority-setting. Toledo's (Ohio) experience and a recent…

Addressed to arts organizations and public school districts, this guide comprises questionnaires and work sheets for step-by-step planning to use surplus schools for arts projects. An introduction alerts planners to the complex forces involved in reuse of surplus school space and outlines four common planning situations: an arts group actively…

Explaining that the capacity of a school is the number of pupil places it can accommodate, this guide for Local Education Authorities (LEAs) describes the British government's method of assessing the "net capacity" of schools, which will be used as the measure of the capacity of all maintained, mainstream schools in England from June…

This publication is intended to help California school officials and planners create school buildings that provide environments needed for the operation of an outstanding program of public education. It encourages them to visit the schools presented and similar ones in order to become informed about new planning concepts and trends in school…

This paper discusses the process of updating school capacity, which is subject to change from a variety of factors (to comply with current building codes, changes in educational programs, changes in class size, expansion of educational services, and scheduling). The paper describes the two major components of updating school capacity: the program…

This publication is intended to assist local boards of education, superintendents, and staff in the organization and development of educational specifications. It was written because most educators have little knowledge about the purpose, process, organization, or contents of the finished product (educational specifications). It provides a…

Lists questions that must be answered when deciding whether to close a school, when planning a closure, and when making sure the closure is successful. (JM)

Written for both students and practitioners, this book is a comprehensive treatise on the planning, remodeling, and maintenance of educational facilities. The subject matter is organized to blend theory and practice. Part I deals primarily with theory, principles, and techniques of educational facilities planning, covering school building history,…

A three-step plan identifies unused space and puts it to work to handle growing enrollments in static facilities by: (1) comparing with other schools; (2) analyzing space needs; and (3) finding usable space. Photographs illustrate space reclaimed at three schools. (MLF)

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is being used in schools and communities to improve the management of human space. Outlines CPTED concepts and strategies to implement crime reduction through environmental design of school grounds, parking lots, locker rooms, corridors, restrooms, and classrooms. (MLF)

The number of students in schools is growing, and school boards are faced with the choice to renovate or build new schools. Terms used when talking about remodeling and building schools are defined. Formulas to use when challenged by the renovate-or-rebuild dilemma and questions that need consideration during the decision-making process are…

Once a school district determines that modernization is the best alternative for a particular building, the planning process begins. The first step is determining how administrators and teachers would like to use the building. Flexible instructional spaces, technology wiring, comfort, and communication are important considerations. (MLH)