Australia has been the site of significant school facility design innovation during the past decade. This innovation was showcased in 2013 in a report released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) titled "Innovative Learning Environments, Educational Research and Innovation." It featured case studies of 40…

This speech summarizes the recommendations of seven National Governors' Association task forces represented in "Time for Results: The Governors' 1991 Report on Education," highlighting the physical facilities group's concerns. The Task Force on Teaching confronted work force quantity and quality issues and recommended strategies for…

A study was conducted to assess classroom utilization at a university and to make recommendations to optimize the use of the space available. Seven steps were involved in the study: (1) preparing the inventory of space; (2) identifying the variables; (3) making assumptions for the study and changes to carry it out; (4) calculating mean numbers of…

A presentation paper examines the planning, coordination, design, and phasing of construction required for a new 340,000 sq.ft. high school (Chantilly High School, Fairfax, Virginia) plus adding 46,000 sq. ft. to the facility while keeping the educational program for 2,100 students active. The project's scope is outlined, followed by the design…

The U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley, addressed the American Institute of Architects on the problem of school safety resulting from building age and/or building code violations. The Secretary stated that the problem is a large national embarrassment and reveals the Clinton Administration's response through new construction bonds and…

This paper describes the Nordic "School of Tomorrow" network of educational buildings. It is commonly agreed among the Nordic countries that no one optimal school exists, but that there are many suitable architectural answers. The Network, established in 2000, meets once a year to exchange and discuss knowledge, experience, and ideas…

This paper examines Blue Valley School District's (Overland Park, Kansas) use of geographic information systems (GIS) to help it manage and plan for rapid growth and development areas. The GIS program helps school districts realize several planning related benefits that include an increase in the cooperative planning activities among stakeholders…

This two-part report presents the organizational and developmental process behind the San Lorenzo Unified School District's school strategic planning initiative created to transform its schools and thereby enhance student success for the next century. The first part addresses the school district's history, demographics, enrollment trends and…

Summarizes discussions from a seminar focusing on earthquakes and educational facilities, including findings related to educational buildings; partnerships; training; standards, regulations, and procedures; finance and legislation; and research and support. (EV)

The President of the United States uses the occasion of National School Modernization Day to offer brief remarks on the American economy and his administration's plans for improving educational facilities for the nation's children. He mentions the administration's first ever initiative at the national level to build, repair, or modernize 5,000…

The French experience of the last few decades provides some lessons for policymakers seeking to meet the needs for facilities at various educational levels. Two conclusions stand out: the lasting nature and impact of educational infrastructure; and (2) policy formation stands to gain from foreseeing as fully and clearly as possible the probable…

The library system at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) is decentralized and scattered throughout the multiple building campus, which itself is spread over the of town of Leuven. This paper presents an overview of a discussion at the university leading to the construction of a new central library for its Exact Sciences campus. Arguments…

The construction of new schools is a complex task requiring a great deal of executive direction that is most successfully attained if the executive function resides permanently in one individual. Data were collected through observation of schools in 6 school districts (photographs and films); document analysis (newspapers and other media, and…

A number of factors in society affecting the curriculum and thereby creating futuristic facility trends are identified in this paper. People are living longer, technologies are available, and new leadership roles are emerging. These factors present resulting educational implications for curriculum and the school facility. Instead of being isolated…

This paper draws on the experience of the Sebastopol Union School District, a small school district in California, which formed a team to manage facilities renovation. The team was comprised of the district superintendent, the architect, a construction manager, and a facility/financial consultant; it allowed the district to succeed at the school…