Answers the question of whether educational facilities funded under the Community Education Facility Act are being used by the community. The 19 funded projects surveyed addressed issues pertaining to kinds of projects, daily operation responsibilities, evaluation provisions, degree of community use, cooperation promotion, and compliance of state…

Defines the school board's role in school construction, its use of outside consultants, the responsibility of securing building funds, and the influence of politics in the decision making process. Discusses some school boards' changing approach to community involvement. (GR)

School systems in urbanized or built-up areas have difficulties locating suitable sites for new buildings. Examples of the use of space in alternative locations include the Parkway Program in Philadelphia; the Work Place School in Alberta, Canada; the Metropolitan Learning Alliance in Minnesota; and the Schoolhouse Boat in Vienna, Austria. (MLF)

Addresses the concept of universal design in school planning and construction that can help remove barriers found in today's new and diverse educational requirements. Universal design and its impact on diversity and inclusion, technology, and community/school relationships are discussed. (GR)

Discusses the benefits of green, or high-performance, buildings, such as health and comfort, cost effectiveness, and sustainability. Explores the barriers to their use by schools--most notably cost. Offers suggestions on overcoming these barriers. (EV)

Discusses the importance of thorough research when considering construction of a campus performing arts center, including retaining an acoustical consultant or acoustician to recommend a similar center and guide a tour. Offers the example of the Southwest Iowa Arts Center located on the campus of Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.…

Presents articles describing recent developments in three Latin American countries (Chile, Brazil, and Venezuela) to expand public education facilities, along with a report on UNESCO's recent seminar in Latin America on architecture for an inclusive education. (EV)

Describes several schools that have embraced the trend toward smaller schools and shared facilities, resulting in higher student achievement and improved morale for students, faculty, and parents. (EV)

Examines the comprehensive planning process done prior to renovating or constructing new buildings at educational facilities in order to prevent errors. Planning steps are highlighted as is one city's experience in making more space available at its schools to meet rising enrollment needs. (GR)

A firm that has designed many preschool and elementary school projects identifies three factors that are vital to successful design for young children: protection, interaction, and scale. Accompanying drawings of three projects illustrate these design principles. (MLF)

Examines how the Dallas Independent School District (Texas) has been successful in passing new bond issues for school construction and renovation. The school district's strategic methodology is discussed, as are its management tactics in meeting diverse student needs, school safety, and student overcrowding. (GR)

Studies show that deteriorating school facilities take their toll on students' and teachers' health and morale. Classrooms should be accessible to the outdoors; clustered around a commons; adaptable and flexible; and aesthetically pleasing. Architects say natural lighting and noise reduction are routine parts of their job. Research studies support…

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 October 2004 issue includes the following:…

The following article describes a literature review on factors that went into the planning for a new circulation/reserves desk at the Livingston Lord Library at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Many issues have been reported in the literature and must be considered when designing a functional, convenient, and ADA-compliant…

Of the challenges facing educational leaders, among the most pressing is the need for suitable facilities. School buildings in the US are aging at an alarming rate. The obstacles to acquiring needed resources are formidable. In this document, the authors focus on the importance of consulting with your state department of education regarding…