Having an Impact on Learning

In this issue, you will find our Impact on Learning awards program winners for 2009. First, let me say congratulations to all of those winners! Second, let me say to the skeptics — facilities DO impact learning.

Many things play into student success, from parental involvement to socioeconomics — things over which we have little control. What we do have control over is the quality of our school facilities, and research shows facilities can be an asset or a detriment to the educational process and to student achievement. Researchers have repeatedly found a difference of between five-17 percentile points between achievement of students in poor buildings and those students in above-standard buildings (when the socioeconomic status of students is controlled). The average is around 10 points — the difference between a C and a B.

Recently in Virginia, a study was conducted to investigate the relationship between school building condition and student achievement, as measured by their performance on Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) examinations at the middle school level. Data was collected on building condition, test scores and socioeconomic status. Results showed that students performed better in newer or recently renovated buildings than they did in older buildings. The percentage of students passing the Commonwealth of Virginia Standards of Learning Examination at the middle school level was higher in English, mathematics and science in standard buildings than it was in substandard buildings. Building age, windows in the instructional area and overall building condition were positively related to student achievement.

In another recent study, almost 1,100 Canadian principals, along with students participating in the PISA study (OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment), answered a wide range of questions about school condition, including facilities. The results showed a direct correlation between better facility conditions and student outcome. “On every one of the learning environment indicators, the evidence from almost 1,100 schools across Canada shows substantial differences between schools with different facility conditions. In all cases, schools in top-ranked facility condition have better learning environments than schools in bottom ranked condition.” Students work with more enthusiasm. The moral of teachers is higher. There is less disruption of classes by the students. Teacher’s expectations of student are higher.

It all comes down to the old adage — accept the things that we cannot change and have the courage to change the things we can. Facilities are one of the things we can change that will positively affect students and staff. Facilities DO impact learning.

Featured

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    Single Software recently released its first-ever School Entrance Security Report based on more than 500 responses from U.S. school staff members. According to a news release, the findings highlight a gap between K–12 leaders’ wishes for school safety and how safe the schools actually are, as well as the challenges facing students and staff in that goal.

  • Uvalde Schools Receive AI Security Technology through Grant Program

    AI-powered gun detection and emergency response technology solutions provider Omnilert recently launched the Save Haven Grant program, according to a news release. The first recipient of the grant, aimed specifically at schools that have faced gun violence, will be the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (Uvalde CISD) in Uvalde, Texas.

  • Texas A&M Adds ALPR Technology to Parking Solutions

    Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently integrated automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology into its parking services and enforcement strategies, according to a news release. The university’s Transportation Services division deployed Genetec AutoVu ALPR to manage the campus’ 36,000+ parking spaces.

  • Beeville ISD Starts Construction on New Elementary School

    The Beeville Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently began a construction project that will consolidate two existing, aging schools into a new elementary school, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects and Spawglass General Contractors for the design and construction, respectively, of the new facility.

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