Quality schoolyards provide opportunities for the physical challenges, exercise, sensory play, fantasy play, organized sports, and unsupervised free play that allow for healthy, well-rounded development. Schoolyards should be safe places where children practice social skills and develop an appreciation for the feelings of others and the…

"The Through Your Lens" book brings together the vivid photos and poignant stories of students and teachers across America with context from statistics, maps and background. It illustrates current school conditions, how our system reached this point, and what is possible for all students and teachers. Perhaps most important, it answers the…

In this study, the 21st Century School Fund (21CSF), with support from the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, examined the state capital outlay funding for elementary and secondary public education facility construction and modernization. The authors examined how much capital outlay has been expended by states from 2005-2008 as…

The big District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) school facilities issues right now are the proposed closing of underutilized school buildings and the effects of new grade-level reorganization and consolidations. However, this report focuses on another critical issue--the basic condition of all DCPS school buildings. This special report of the…

The Savoy Elementary School Modernization and Co-Location project is designed to meet a number of important goals for Washington, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and the District of Columbia. It will improve the teaching and learning conditions for Savoy Elementary School so that they are in excellent condition, can support a high quality curriculum,…

The State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans have a daunting task before them. They must restore community access to public education. It will not be enough to repair and rebuild buildings. The educational programs and staff must also be redeveloped. However, the improvements to public school facilities is a critical first step in…

The District of Columbia is four years into the implementation of a ten year Educational Facility Master Plan and seven years into the development of Public Charter Schools. A great deal of work to improve public school facilities has been done. The new buildings and renovations that have been completed by the District of Columbia Public Schools…

In this report, Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School (TMA) submits its Development Plan for the renovation and improvements to the Nichols Avenue School building and site, which will serve as the future home for their school. Working with an experienced planning, design and construction team, they have prepared a Development Plan…

This guide provides a framework for community involvement in the complex process of modernizing or building new public school buildings. The guide reflects two fundamental premises: (1) The condition and design of school buildings and grounds affect the quality of education and the vitality of the school and its community; and (2) Broad community…