This guidebook provides charter schools with ideas when seeking financing, and touches on the issues they often face regarding appropriate site, managing the construction and renovation process, and facility operation that is safe and economical. Ideas presented are based on experiences of real charter schools. The document is organized around…

Five issues examine each year's trends and innovations in effective school architectural design in North America from 1995 through 1999, covering new school construction and renovations and additions for K-12 schools. Also included are photographs, award-winning designs selected as examples of the latest in educational design technology and…

With the repeal of the statewide ad valorem tax in 1981, many state colleges and universities no longer had resources for construction, improvements, major repair and renovation, and the acquisition of capital equipment. The Legislature recognized the need to provide permanent capital funding for those colleges and universities not participating…

One of the single biggest challenges for a charter school is securing financing for an adequate facility. While a stellar building provides no guarantee that a school will be a success, having adequate facilities that at least meet the needs of an academic program without robbing the budget can go a long way toward creating an environment…

Proposes school evaluation in terms of the learning environment a school provides rather than the achievement of its students. (HD)

West Hartford, Connecticut, found ways to renovate old buildings to meet today's educational demands, yet chopped about $10 million off the original estimate. (Author)

Experts warn that only electron microscopes can see the smaller fibers of asbestos that are known to cause the most cancers, though the Environmental Protection Agency still endorses optical microscopes for asbestos removal verification. Asbestos testing methods are explained and sources of information are provided. (MLF)

Describes how the Ellington (Connecticut) Public Schools use community visiting teams to involve the community in school improvement. Teams are chosen from among persons recommended by community groups, visit a school for three consecutive days with a consultant, accomplish five evaluation tasks, and submit a written report with recommendations.…

The South Carolina Building Quality Survey Project that helped institutions and state agencies determine need for renovations and priorities for renovation is described, along with the resulting procedures manual. Evaluation forms are included. (MSE)

The actual facilities audit begins with the physical analysis of each selected building. A building is separated into four physical categories: primary structure, secondary structure, service systems, and safety standards. (Author/MLF)

School remodeling decisions should be based on a careful analysis of the site, building, educational program, and estimated cost. (Author/MLF)

Some school space is "surplus" only when measured by the old needs of traditional education. When considered for the broader needs of the community education concept, the space is an opportunity for better communities. (Author)

In terms of dollar volume, more educational construction was completed in 1979 than in any previous year. The information provided by more than 2,500 school districts and more than 1,000 colleges is analyzed. (Author/MLF)

The fifth annual survey of education construction reveals that more than $7 billion worth of educational construction was completed in 1978. Almost $5 billion worth went into new construction; the balance to remodeling, modernizations, and additions. (Author/MLF)

Student attitudes toward their schools can be a powerful force in determining the success or failure of those schools. An instrument designed to measure such attitudes is described. (Editor/RK)