School districts, and even states, striving to identify optimal school size are confounded more often than not by the conflicting research findings and theoretical arguments presented throughout the literature. Some writers adamantly declare that smaller schools are a "must" if educational opportunity is to be optimized. Others argue that school…

What does the future hold for educators and facilities professionals when it comes to planning, building, funding, and operating school facilities? No one can absolutely know beforehand. However, there are many, many indicators of where public education in the United States may well be destined. These indicators take the form of already occurring…

The national trend toward consolidating schools has been driven by numerous factors, including fascination with economies of scale. Although small schools can claim advantages arising from a more intimate, caring atmosphere, large schools can boast specialized faculty teaching more sophisticated curricula. There is no optimal school size.…

The author reviews eight school size studies performed by doctoral students and graduate faculty at the University of South Carolina. These studies examine the relationship of South Carolina school size to academic achievement and to costs per student at all grade span groupings, including elementary, middle, and high school. The studies are…

America is changing and, as it does, so will its educational system. This article examines demographic changes the country is experiencing, the conflicts these changes are generating, and how education--and particularly school facilities--may be different in the future as a result. Conflicts addressed include (a) baby boomers versus an emerging…

Based on what is happening in school districts today, seven critical issues will dictate the educational facility of the future: (1) school size; (2) pupil-teacher ratios; (3) clientele served; (4) programs offered; (5) technology; (6) school choice; and (7) funding. (15 references) (MLF)

For the past 10 years the South Carolina Department of Education annually has rewarded the top 20% of its public elementary schools. Identifies a positive relationship between larger schools and sustained academic achievement, although the impact of size was relatively small. Smaller schools tended to be serving students in lower socioeconomic…