PreK-12 Ed


Poverty in Rural K-12 Schools

A report from the Rural School and Community Trust warns of the effects of poverty on students in rural school districts.

Don't Fall Into the Box

Sage on the stage, independent study, collaborative teaming, hands-on/project-based teaching methodologies and many other learning/teaching styles and methods that have evolved and transitioned throughout the past 20 years. he archaic "factory model&

Integrating School Security Systems

When schools decide to replace or increase video cameras due to campus growth or changes and evolving security goals, many discover operational efficiencies and cost benefits of converging legacy equipment with newer, more sophisticated systems that are i

Repair and Renovation Projects

With costs for new construction escalating, refurbishing existing facilities becomes an ever more attractive, if not necessary, prospect. Unfortunately, traditional procurement methods don't always provide facility planners with the quick response and bud

Using Technology for Building and Cost Control

Nearly 3 million kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electric energy are anticipated to be saved at Casa Grande (Ariz.) Elementary School District from a recently implemented energy management and awareness program.

Sealing the Envelope

While the overall performance of the envelope contributes to good indoor air quality (IAQ), major chapters of the CHPS design guide detail techniques used to control the infiltration of outside air and moisture through the envelope and into the building.

Assistive Technology

The question from school district administrators, for themselves and for parents, might be: Is the assistive technology a child is using outdated, and could it be replaced by a device with improved/more features?

Form Follows Engagement

Despite the negative effects of the economy, the one factor that has helped students thrive in school this past year is an increased emphasis being placed on engagement. Engagement is fostered in many ways. It is about building connections — students

Natural Light, Energy Efficiency

A handful of designers and suppliers offer their combined knowledge and experience so that designers and administrators can better know what to consider when making decisions about which doors and windows to use in their new building or renovation project

Building a Winning Athletic Program

While most school districts have athletic programs that are as second nature as academics, even braving reduced budgets in recent years to keep their programs running, it's possible to improve on the tried-and-true. Here, a number of experts offer th

Identifying and Mitigating Sources of School Revenue Erosion

Preserving existing revenues is an essential component of the work of school business officials. The broad ranges of activities that can affect school district revenues make identifying potential threats difficult. By understanding the issues that affect

Fire and Life Safety

While the title has changed from fire drill to emergency evacuation drill, the goal of the drill has not. Drills are held to practice evacuating a building when there is no real threat to life safety so that when there is a threat, building occupants will

School Lighting

The average cost of electricity rose more than 40 percent over the last 10 years, presenting a rising cost for today's schools. As a result, many school districts are exploring ways to improve financial performance by investing in energy-efficient bu

Once-in-a-Lifetime Funding for K-12 Technology

The $787 billion Stimulus Act includes $115 billion for education. As much as $80 billion of that money could pay for technology in K-12 schools. Scheduled for disbursement during this year and next, the ARRA K-12 technology money represents a once-in-a-l

Coming Attractions: BIM for K-12 Facility Managers

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has stormed into the nation's design and construction world. The Government Services Administration (GSA) requires BIM for government buildings. The Army Corps of Engineers requires BIM for its projects. In July, W

Sustainable Schools Inspire a Green Generation

With the increasing disconnection between natural and built environments, students in high performance schools experience how healthy, green building can create a more symbiotic relationship between the natural world and constructed spaces.

Carpets and Floors

Floor care is one of the most expensive tasks a school facility may have. Reducing the frequency of these tasks, while keeping the location healthy, can help lower cleaning costs and stretch budgets significantly. Here are some recommendations from severa

NYC Cause and Effect

The economy may be causing schools to tighten their belts, but many companies are stepping up to the plate and helping to fill the gap. Over the past few weeks, I've been hearing about a number of exciting projects that have gotten underway, all gear

The Bidding Process

Your bid/proposal preparation must be made with a view to purchasing the best service for the lowest expenditure of resources. Cheap is not the same as cost effective.

The House Tries Again to Appropriate Funds for School Construction

Have you noticed that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), aka the Stimulus Bill, contains no direct grant funding for school construction? While there is substantial construction funding in the form of bond and other programs in the Stimulu

Digital Edition