This paper constitutes the first of a three part series examining the boom in the construction and renovation of K-12 schools and the continuing challenges that communities face in getting the facilities their students and educators need. Part 1 reports on the increase of school construction and renovation that began in 2002, despite a sagging…

School construction completed in 2006 totaled just more than $20 billion, a drop of seven percent from the record $21.6 billion put in place in 2005. Even so, it was the sixth year in the last seven that annual construction exceeded $20 billion. During the seven years of the present century, school districts have completed construction projects…

Going through the building process could take up to five years--five of the toughest and most satisfying years of an administrator's career. In going through this process, one can learn a great deal about the community and staff involved, and about onself. But even when the building project is completed, there is still work to be done: now is the…

In the current highly competitive higher education market in North America, many colleges have identified the importance of upgrading their existing residential housing facilities as part of their strategy to attract and retain students. The case study discussed in this article describes the successful planning process used by Perkins+Will and…

The purpose of this research is to discuss development of the Logistical Tracking System (LTS)1 and evaluate the changes in processes and procedures at the University of Texas-Dallas (UT-Dallas) that were due to implementation of a new type of technology. The chapter elaborates on the positive and negative aspects of designing and constructing a…

High-quality sports facilities are an essential tool in recruiting top collegiate athletes and coaches. They enhance the school's competitiveness and enable expansion of the school's sports programs. In choosing schools, top athletes and coaches assess the quality of the stadium, playing fields, track and courts. But they also will be looking at…

This document contains a summary of the European Community (EC) Task Force for Human Resources, Education, Training and Youth's reactions to a 1991 memorandum on vocational training in the EC in the 1990s. The memorandum was issued by the Commission of the European Communities to initiate broad debate within and among EC member nations. A…

This report synthesizes the key themes and ideas discussed at two 1-day workshops addressing issues in the use of IQ tests in special education evaluation and placement. The first section considers the background and legal context of the issue. The next section looks at IQ tests in school settings. Key ideas raised include the importance of never…

This document summarizes the major activities of the Michigan Council on Vocational Education (MCOVE) during the years 1992-93 and 1993-94. The preface outlines the objectives and functions of the MCOVE, which is composed of 13 individuals representing citizens and various groups interested in vocational education in Michigan, including secondary…

The literature on integration of academic and vocational education was reviewed to identify strategies for school districts planning to integrate their academic and vocational programs. Among the topics examined were the following: reasons for integrating academic and vocational education; meaning of curriculum integration; essential components of…

A research team gathered and disseminated information on effective tech prep policies and practices for developing and evaluating program curriculums in the broad career pathways of allied health, business, and engineering technology in Texas. Data were gathered through interviews, site visits, document analysis, and surveys. Curricular documents…

Coordination of job training delivery strategies by vocational education (VE) agencies and private industry councils/service delivery areas (PICs/SDAs) throughout California in 1993 was reviewed. Among the review's main findings were the following: more than 9 of 10 SDAs have VE representatives on PICs; community colleges are the VE…

This report highlights selected schools and their collaborative efforts in pulling educators, families, and communities together to support a particular school's success and the well-being of its immigrant students. The report documents promising practices, but also places these efforts in broader contexts, both practical and theoretical. These…

This paper reports on a project aimed at improving academic achievement at a predominantly Latino elementary school in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. Project activities were guided by a school change model that helped provide a coherent, sustained focus over a period of several years. The model suggests four elements that can be used to…

A collaboration between Pakistan's Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM) and the Harvard Institute for International Development under the Basic Research and Implementation in Developing Education Systems (BRIDGES) led to a conference to present findings carried out by Pakistani researchers as well as BRIDGES consultants. The…