This research project examined how educational facilities are perceived and used by the occupants. It sought to inform the design of effective learning environments in elementary schools through a heightened awareness of the needs of the occupants and an understanding of how they use their school facilities. Project objectives included the…

This publication describes the creation of a new school building for James F. Oyster Bilingual Elementary School in Washington, DC. Despite the success of its academic program, the school's 70-year-old building had become unsafe and unsuitable for teaching and learning and was threatened with closure in 1993 because of the district's fiscal…

Twenty-five States reported to the Bureau of Education that some sort of concerted effort was made during the biennium toward improving and adapting State courses of study to the needs of rural schools. It is reported that progress has been made in the following categories: (1) The tendency on the part of State departments to assume increased…

Since the publication by the Bureau of Education of Bulletin (1910) No. 5, entitled "American Schoolhouses" much progress has been made in school architecture from every point of view. In this revised edition such changes and such additions have been made in the text as will, it is hoped, bring this progress to the attention of school…

The statistics in this bulletin on State school systems relate solely to the public elementary and secondary schools. The information has been supplied by the various State offices of education. This bulletin contains the statistics of city, village, and rural schools combined. Statistics for the following topics are presented: (1) Schools…

During the year the field force of the Bureau of Education in Alaska consisted of 5 superintendents, 1 assistant superintendent, 116 teachers, 9 physicians, and 11 nurses. Sixty-nine schools were maintained with an enrollment of 3,635. School buildings were erected at White Mountain, whither the Eskimos had migrated from Council; at Elim, within a…

Since the beginning of the recent revival of interest in rural schools, millions of dollars have been expended annually for country schoolhouses, and expenditures for this purpose have grown larger from year to year. Some of the newer buildings are large and relatively costly, but many, probably most, of them are built with little or no reference…

This bulletin is the result of a personal study of a number of Danish elementary rural schools, made during the winter and spring of 1913. Sufficient time was spent in the different schools, in a study of their organization and administration, to insure accuracy of impression. These filed studies were later verified, so far as possible, in the…

Toward the close of the school year 1912-13 the United States Commissioner of Education sent a letter to all school superintendents who have rural schools under their supervision, asking them to report to the Bureau of Education anything of unusual or special value that had been done in the schools during the past year or two. These…

Discusses the need to renovate existing schools and/or build new ones due to rising enrollments and rapid developments in technology. Topics include problems with technology use; technology budgeting; assessing the status of ongoing technology; community-based learning environments; school designs and partnerships; technology planning resources;…

Identifies issues that need to be addressed when planning combined school and public libraries. The importance of defining the role of the libraries and involving all participants in the planning process is stressed, and considerations relating to personnel selection, collection development, funding, and evaluation are discussed. (CLB)

Describes the 1989-90 "New Schools for New York" architectural study project which asked architects to create schools (via renovation or new construction) embodying flexibility, security, warmth, cost efficiency, and respect for students and teachers as individuals. The specific architectural challenges at each of the six selected sites…

School design must reflect deep-seated changes in educational practices such as using outcome-based education, reorganizing traditional grade structures, grouping students in "houses," and mainstreaming handicapped children. Describes designs for five school buildings that are intended to enhance and undergird what goes on in classrooms.…

Uses space problems of a 15-year-old South Carolina middle school to illustrate the importance of a proper facility-design process. Planning principles such as change of space function, flexibility, accommodation of technology, structural quality, adequate supervision, and proper maintenance should be revisited. Time is a good test of design and…

Understanding the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) can help educational facilities managers, planners, and administrators achieve rapid, cost-effective compliance. Educational institutions fall under Title I, Title II, and Title III of the ADA. Guidelines for how to start and conduct an inspection and develop a written…