Culturally sensitive schools reflect the customs and heritage of the community served. Examples of such schools are presented, and considerations for planning culturally sensitive school facilities are described. (13 references) (MLF)

Illustrates how one developing nation, Trinidad/Tobago, responded during hard economic times to demand for educational facilities. Space standards for primary schools have been compromised in the wake of rising inflation and economic recession during the 1980s. One result is overcrowding. Improved policy guidelines are essential, along with…

Examines renovation efforts involving an old urban, magnet high school (North Fort Myers, Florida) that transformed it into an up-to-date school facility without interfering with the school's operation. Discusses design and planning strategies, materials used, and the environmental concerns that needed to be addressed. (GR)

Examines the design of a new library/art facility at a San Francisco high school that complemented the school's contemporary academic program and reputation for excellence. Discusses the planning and architectural strategies and the technological and convenience additions designed to meet greater student needs. (GR)

Advances a notion of decent school buildings as necessary to quality education, considering a perspective that balances science with the art of designing, constructing, and renovating schools. The article illustrates the issue by examining one urban elementary school's renovations, additions, and history. It contends that educators should view the…

Discusses planning and funding a high school whose design simultaneously addresses the changing nature of education, aesthetics, and security while enhancing the learning process. The concept of pooling funding sources or passing a bond issue for developing affordable joint-use facilities is highlighted. (GR)

Presents brief site-visit reports of three Paris (France) public schools to study the planning and use of each school's library. Observations from an elementary, middle, and high school include the overall library design, book classification and access systems, technology use, budgeting, and librarian role. (GR)

Discussses the top issues facing schools as they build and renovate their facilities to meet the educational needs of the 21st Century. Issues include alternative school sites, ecologically friendly facilities, flexible spaces, outdoor spaces, schools as communities, smaller schools, security, technology, and school/community relationships. (GR)

Discusses the benefits to student learning of smaller schools and offers profiles of schools designed to offer smaller-scale learning environments: Mariner High School in Mukitea, Washington, Prairie Elementary School in Worthington, Minnesota, and High Tech High in San Diego, California. (EV)

The key to making smart decisions for school district facilities lies in comprehensive planning--a team effort that crosses lines of responsibility and expertise. A sidebar offers examples of questions that need to be asked and answered. (MLF)

Presents excerpts from a satellite town meeting where participants discussed issues common to the nation's schools. Topics include federal legislation for school construction, the planning of one school for future technology, ways school design influences learning, and community involvement in school redesign. (GR)

An experience-based exhibit emphasizes the visitor's active involvement: visitors become involved in inquiry cycles in which visitors' continued interaction with the exhibit builds upon the feedback they have received from the results of their inquiries. Presents 10 broad guidelines to consider when designing engaging experience-based exhibits.…

Each month, "American School & University" provides a mix of thought-provoking features, how-to-articles, industry reports, exclusive surveys, new sections, insightful columns, new product introductions and case histories to assist education officials in better performing their jobs. This June 2005 issue includes the following: "Raising the Bar"…

Presented here are the major reasons why an asset management system (AMS) is needed, a brief history of their evolution and a description of the initiative undertaken by Quebec to implement such a system. The appendix contains the recommended basic requirements for an asset management system. (Contains 1 figure and 4 footnotes.)

Generations ago, it was common for young students to learn their reading and writing in the same classroom as older siblings studying more advanced lessons. For those people educated in one-room schoolhouses, having separate buildings for elementary school, middle school and high school would have been considered the ultimate in specialized…