The authors describe their individual and collective experiences reconstructing their New Orleans-based university composition program in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They emphasize how the concept of "floating foundations" helps account for changes in their students' interests, and they suggest that this idea is applicable to the…

The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education recognizes the importance of safe, functional, well-utilized and well-maintained facilities in supporting institutional efforts to provide exemplary programs. This principle forms the basis for the Commission's capital construction budget recommendations and prioritization for the 2009-2011…

Discusses how charter schools often struggle in their search for suitable educational facilities, and offers some possible solutions such as cooperative ownership. (EV)

A survey of sound levels was taken in several Texas schools to determine the amount of noise and sound present by size of class, type of activity, location of building, and the presence of air conditioning and large amounts of glass. The data indicate that class size and relative amounts of glass have no significant bearing on the production of…

America's $100 billion construction industry with its 3 million workers does not need harassment, unwarranted interference, or political denounciation; it does need better access to mortgage money, less costly materials at more stable prices, an end to archaic regulations that hamper productivity, more dynamic management, and--most of all--more…

Practical pointers on why an MATV system may not work as it should." (Editor)

Topics discussed include--(1) assumed operational definitions, (2) communicative links, (3) resource allocations, (4) growth planning, and (5) positive functional development. The format of the speech emphasizes key concepts and factors. A forum discussion follows. (MH)

A summary is presented of a study to determine the building needs of the school transportation operation and to suggest possible uses of aluminum. The report outlines the magnitude of school transportation systems as an indication of buildings necessary to house and maintain equipment. The types of areas needed to fulfill the bus housing and…

Tabulations show additions and remodeling in public elementary and secondary schools for 1973 and estimates for 1974, nationally, by enrollment and by region. Figures are given for the number of projects, total cost per project, and average cost per project. Figures also show schools completed in 1973, those expected to be completed in 1974, and…

Discusses the many types of and uses for instant schools from air-supported vinyl structures to prefabricated modular units. (JF)

Describes how developing a master plan can help school districts anticipate their facility needs and the problems that may arise, and help school administrators articulate their expectations to educational planners and architects. (EV)

A growing school population and deteriorating facilities are among the problems faced by the nation's educational system. Finding solutions to both the overcrowding and the crumbling condition of this nation's schools has fueled a bit of a construction boom, first among colleges and now in the nation's school districts. Within different states and…

Describes modernization efforts at Brookline, Massachusetts, for the Edward Devotion Elementary School; Richmond, Massachusetts, for the Richmond School; and at Springfield, Massachusetts, for the M. Marcus Kiley Junior High School. (JF)

To moderate severe increases in the cost of labor, we must increase the labor supply to meet the increasing demand. This means we must assure equal employment opportunity for all in the industry, increase productivity through vocational training, adopt innovative techniques, and reduce seasonality, and make special arrangements in the construction…