Presents 50 outstanding awards for learning-environment designs as determined by an expert panel of judges. Each citation provides the school name and location, the name of the architectural firm, cost and square-footage figures, and a brief summary of the project. Photographs and some floorplan drawings are included. (GR)

Presents advice from five school administrators on how schools are meeting facility and business challenges in the new millennium. Issues discussed concern power needs, the Y2K computer problem, the explosion of new educational technology, school security, educational finance, and building deterioration. (GR)

Presents an example of one school's solution to space needs for handling play and practice times for its multiple sports teams. Explains the school's planning efforts towards agreeing to, then gaining public support for, a major renovation project. (GR)

Provides two examples of school districts combining the elements of technologically-savvy students with faculty and a supportive taxpayer base to provide paths for installing and using technology in the district's schools. Both examples provide each district's goals, planning process, decision-making issues, and the conclusions. (GR)

Presents examples of how state and local governments, spurred by legal mandates, have cooperated in funding new school construction projects to replace their crumbling school facilities with inspirational learning environments. (GR)

Every month, "Leadership" features articles written in an informal, conversational style that provide practical information for school administrators. This issue of "Leadership" contains the following articles: (1) "'Sorta Dumb' Beliefs Fail 65% of Students" (George Manthey); (2) "A Solid Foundation in School…

In this interview with Dr. Homero Lopez, who brings thirty-two years of higher education experience to his position as the founding president of Estrella Mountain Community College, (Maricopa County Community College District of Arizona), topics centered on how learning spaces and campus design are planned and implemented on Estrella Mountain…

Many school nurses across the nation have had the opportunity to be involved with school renovation and new construction projects in their districts. Renovation and new construction projects allow school nurses the opportunity to work with facilities planners, school officials, and architects to design school health office facilities that enhance…

This paper examines the role of student consultation and participation in the process of improving the physical environment in schools. Although quantitative studies suggest that there are some links between the learning environment and school performance, direct causal relationships between these factors remain unclear. However, as Clark points…

This report provides a summary and assessment of the Priorities, Quality and Productivity (PQP) efforts during 1994-95 of Illinois community colleges and independent colleges and universities, collectively, and of individual public universities. Emphasis is on implementation of recommendations of the Illinois Board of Higher Education of November,…

An ongoing child care improvement study is being conducted of approximately 150 licensed child care providers in 4 Florida counties. The study is assessing the impact of state legislation, which mandated lower caregiver-to-child ratios and increased credentialing. Thus far, the study has found the following effects: (1) children's emotional and…

This anthology focuses on rural education improvement that will prepare students for the 21st century. Articles address issues related to school funding, educational technology, curriculum offerings, state and federal policies, the role of rural teachers and administrators in school reform, cultural diversity, and changing socioeconomic factors in…

Noting that the work of early childhood educators is often complex, variable, and individualized, this booklet brings together a range of teacher stories that describe such work across many settings. A number of challenges for early childhood education are described, and a host of innovative teaching ideas are presented in an attempt to describe…

On most international comparisons of educational achievement, United States' schools fare poorly. A closer look at how several foreign countries educate their children, as well as the political process for setting educational policies, suggests a multitude of initiatives that could be profitably adapted to the American educational system. A survey…

A recent National Research Council study, "Improving Schooling for Language-Minority Children: A Research Agenda" examined the status of bilingual education research and the direction of future studies. The report is discussed here, in a format corresponding to the report's sections on domains of research and practice: bilingualism and…