As multiple systems and application become available to teachers, administrators and students, the corresponding number of required passwords also rises. And with the typical school administrator needing three to five passwords to access various databases
The world has changed, global competition has changed, students have changed. If we want our students to be successful, education must adapt to these changing demands. Teach the basics, but teach the arts. Encourage trial and error, creativity and collabo
Crime prevention through environmental design is "place-based" crime prevention and is predicated on making the environment both man-built and natural safer. The built environment includes small-scale areas, such as street corners,
Go ahead, hold onto your print edition, your cursive style of writing and your pocket calculator. While those preferences may not adversely affect your security program, failing to get in motion when it comes to trends in school security might. So, r u up
Whether a planning process involves a state-wide building authority or is managed entirely at the local level, the elements of sound planning should be in place. Mindful planning produces results that support students and communities for many generations.
Outsourcing does not mean bringing in a provider that relieves you of the responsibility for facility management, food service, transportation or other category of outsourcing. It means forming a partnership with a company more expert in a category of ser
More and more schools are moving towards WLAN implementations, but they do require a stable and high-speed LAN back in the closets. As districts place more computing devices in the hands of their students, it is fairly straight forward to upgrade the LAN
The summer months are a perfect time to conduct minor renovations such as lighting and boiler retrofits, temperature control changes and mechanical system rebalancing. These types of projects require a short amount of time to complete and can result in si
Traditional school design has focused on creating a "culture of convenience" that minimizes travel times between classes. In a scramble to accommodate schedules, facilities were designed in tight-knit spaces that hindered any physical movement a
We can agree obesity is a problem and that digesting more healthy food and spending more active time are remedies. So what has been overlooked in this health picture, in these wellness policies from 2006? Healthy elimination that is, the effect of
Mike Conkle had a problem. Actually, he had more than he could count. As Energy Manager for the very green and very budget-conscious Leander Independent School District in the greater Austin, Texas, area, Conkle was always looking for ways to reduce energ
Ah, summer the concept is idyllic unless you're a school facilities manager, that is. In that case, you know you'll never get a summer vacation, simply because there are so many projects to be completed. What projects do facility m
Technologies used in a K-12 school might include a card access control system, defibrillator, fire alarm and life safety systems, mass notification systems for parents and video surveillance. Lower technology items might include exterior and interior ligh
Digital signage can be used for distributing dynamic, attention-grabbing information in real time. Wayfinding, emergency information, even entertainment -- digital signage technology offers a simple solution to static, traditional signage. Reduced costs a
The economic news for many public school districts has not been good lately; fewer dollars must be spread further across districts. Increasingly, support for public schools comes from outside, nonprofit education assistance organizations who provide a num
The current spate of school closures raises a number of issues, most of which reflect uncertainties that complicate the task of district leadership who must decide if shuttering facilities is the right way to address a hopefully temporary budget challenge
Fritz Edelstein compiles education news of note from the Department of Education, the Hill and other sources.
While a new facility may be the most large-scale way to bring a school completely up to date, many districts simply do not have the budget. Renovations may seem overwhelming at first, but by focusing on the building envelope, districts can make simple, st
With the influx of federal monies from the Recovery Act coming to an end, state budgets providing limited support to schools and districts still being strapped for cash, a number of new ideas to reduce costs are being considered some new, some old,
When concrete is used as the primary building material for a school, the traditional method has been concrete masonry blocks of concrete stacked together with mortar, sometimes reinforced and grouted for added strength. But there are also a number