An opportunity like this may not come again in our lifetimes. I know
that's an extreme statement. But the federal stimulus package adopted
last week may give Minnesota communities remarkable opportunities to
improve school buildings. While details are not complete, it appears
that billions of dollars were included that states may use to improve
existing school buildings.
by Joe Nathan
An opportunity like this may not come again in our lifetimes. I know that's an extreme statement. But the federal stimulus package adopted last week may give Minnesota communities remarkable opportunities to improve school buildings. While details are not complete, it appears that billions of dollars were included that states may use to improve existing school buildings.
There will be a huge array of demands on taxpayers' money Congress gave to the states. Like families, governments have to set priorities. There always are more ways to spend money than available funds. But allocating some of the money to improve existing school buildings would allow us to achieve three goals at once: put people to work, make the schools more energy efficient, and help improve student achievement.
As a (voluntary, unpaid) member of the federal (which is to say taxpayer) supported National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF), I've had a chance over the last nine years to learn much more about the impact of school buildings on students and the broader community. More than a million people a year visit the NCEF Web site, http://www.edfacilities.org. It has a vast array pictures, designs, along with brief, as well as lengthy reports. It's an amazing resource.
One brief report on the Web site is "Do School Facilities Affect Academic Outcomes? by Mark Schneider. " He says "yes.
Schneider reviews research about sound/acoustics, lighting, indoor air quality, ventilation, and school and class size. This valuable report takes less than 15 minutes to read.
Architect Kathie Engelbrecht wrote a fascinating, four-page research summary called "The Impact of Color of Learning, by. She cites research showing that certain colors reduce eyestrain and increase accuracy, productivity and achievement. It also is on the NCEF website.
A third group of reports and pictures describe the benefits that can come from schools that share their facilities with other organizations. The helps make the best possible use of tax dollars, provides more efficient services for students and families, and can help improve student attitudes, achievement and health. I've written a report on this that the NCEF published and has posted, called "Smaller, Safer, Saner, Successful Schools.
Any construction project will put people to work. But spending some of the federal stimulus package to improve school buildings will have additional, important benefits. I hope Minnesota leaders will spend some of the money on construction that Priorities for me in terms of school building reconstruction that helps schools
a. Use less energy
b. Employ the latest research on color, acoustics, lighting and airflow to improve achievement
c. Share space with social service agencies or higher education programs
d. Convert large buildings into small, focused public schools of choice
Roads, bridges, bikeways and mass transit all are important. But I hope Minnesota leaders will reserve some of the construction money to make school buildings more efficient and more effective.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
by Joe Nathan
An opportunity like this may not come again in our lifetimes. I know that's an extreme statement. But the federal stimulus package adopted last week may give Minnesota communities remarkable opportunities to improve school buildings. While details are not complete, it appears that billions of dollars were included that states may use to improve existing school buildings.
There will be a huge array of demands on taxpayers' money Congress gave to the states. Like families, governments have to set priorities. There always are more ways to spend money than available funds. But allocating some of the money to improve existing school buildings would allow us to achieve three goals at once: put people to work, make the schools more energy efficient, and help improve student achievement.
As a (voluntary, unpaid) member of the federal (which is to say taxpayer) supported National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF), I've had a chance over the last nine years to learn much more about the impact of school buildings on students and the broader community. More than a million people a year visit the NCEF Web site, http://www.edfacilities.org. It has a vast array pictures, designs, along with brief, as well as lengthy reports. It's an amazing resource.
One brief report on the Web site is "Do School Facilities Affect Academic Outcomes? by Mark Schneider. " He says "yes.
Schneider reviews research about sound/acoustics, lighting, indoor air quality, ventilation, and school and class size. This valuable report takes less than 15 minutes to read.
Architect Kathie Engelbrecht wrote a fascinating, four-page research summary called "The Impact of Color of Learning, by. She cites research showing that certain colors reduce eyestrain and increase accuracy, productivity and achievement. It also is on the NCEF website.
A third group of reports and pictures describe the benefits that can come from schools that share their facilities with other organizations. The helps make the best possible use of tax dollars, provides more efficient services for students and families, and can help improve student attitudes, achievement and health. I've written a report on this that the NCEF published and has posted, called "Smaller, Safer, Saner, Successful Schools.
Any construction project will put people to work. But spending some of the federal stimulus package to improve school buildings will have additional, important benefits. I hope Minnesota leaders will spend some of the money on construction that Priorities for me in terms of school building reconstruction that helps schools
a. Use less energy
b. Employ the latest research on color, acoustics, lighting and airflow to improve achievement
c. Share space with social service agencies or higher education programs
d. Convert large buildings into small, focused public schools of choice
Roads, bridges, bikeways and mass transit all are important. But I hope Minnesota leaders will reserve some of the construction money to make school buildings more efficient and more effective.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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