Kentucky Administrative Regulation 705 KAR 4:231, general program standards for secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs, states that all CTE facilities shall be of adequate size to accommodate the work of their respective program(s). The material within this resource guide is designed to aid school administrators, teachers, boards…

One plausible method for ensuring students are truly understanding science fundamentals beyond being actively and intellectually engaged is to consider how informal learning environments can provide meaningful relevancy by connecting to real-world instances. Transforming traditional science centers into informal learning centers will ensure that…

This celebrated narrative shows how a teacher, alongside his 5th-grade students, co-created a curriculum based on the students' needs, interests, and questions. Follow Brian Schultz and his students from a Chicago housing project as they work together to develop an emergent and authentic curriculum based on what is most important to the…

When renovations or new construction occur, fire extinguishers sometimes get lost in the mix. Unfortunately, whether to save money or because the fire code is misinterpreted, some schools do not install fire extinguishers in laboratories and other areas of the building. Let's set the record straight! If flammables are present, the fire code…

If your lab facilities are going to be replaced or renovated, you should insist that the science instructors be involved in the process from planning to construction. You know what you'll need in a facility, and your input should be sought out by administrators and architects alike. Once construction is complete, changes can be very costly, so…

This case explores various entrepreneurial initiatives introduced by Dr. Ron Dow, dean of libraries, at a private, research-extensive institution in the northeastern United States. The case serves as an example of how entrepreneurial ideas can be applied within educational contexts, specifically, the academic support context of the university…

This report presents guidelines for establishing the educational rationale for Landscapes for Learners, a school grounds development initiative designed to support the curriculum while protecting children from health risks and providing high quality space in the community for education and recreation. The guidelines link the value of educational…

This guide suggests ways to prevent specific kinds of common school accidents by incorporating safety into curriculum areas. Strategies for accident prevention are organized by grade level under these categories: (1) Introductory Strategies; (2) Classroom; (3) Schoolyard; (4) Gymnasium and Playing Field; (5) Cafeteria; and (6) School Building. A…

A specifications pamphlet offers methods, ideas, and suggestions on how music educators can upgrade their existing music facilities or design new ones correctly. Guidelines address room acoustic fundamentals, how to critique a music room, hints on upgrading acoustic weaknesses, and general tips to follow when trying to maximize acoustics when…

This paper addresses the difficulties that many school districts face when implementing educational technology throughout aging educational facilities and illustrates one school district's solution. Construction problems found and solved in the renovation process are discussed including issues surrounding equipment purchasing. Photos are provided.…

This paper addresses classroom design trends and the key issues schools should consider for better classroom space flexibility and adaptability. Classroom space design issues when schools embrace technology are discussed, as are design considerations when rooms must accommodate different grade levels, the importance of lighting, furniture…

Findings are presented from a 2-year experiment exploring ways to reduce energy costs and improve the learning environment in Florida's 25,000 portable classrooms. Improvements were made in two highly instrumented portable classrooms in the following areas: installation of a T8 lighting system with electronic ballasts; a high efficiency heat pump…

This book provides guidelines for the music director, architect, and others in designing and constructing new music facilities or remodeling existing ones. It deals with music facilities at all educational levels and is concerned with the location, design, and size of the facilities; storage and auxiliary space provided; auditoriums and music…

Over the past three years, Richardson Primary School has transformed its entire educational program based around the widespread introduction of interactive whiteboards (IWBs) into the school. A review of this initiative states that "Richardson is the first school in the ACT, and probably Australia, where the total school community, the…

This 25-minute videotape briefly describes the current condition of many of England's secondary school grounds and shows what can be done to improve them. Empowering students to help in redesigning the surrounding school grounds into a conservation area is described. Examples are provided showing how grounds influence student social relations;…