Public School Buildings Get Much-Needed Tips for Renewal

The newly published report, For Generations to Come: A Leadership Guide to Renewing Public School Buildings, released by the 21^st Century School Fund, details a framework for the complex process of modernizing or building new public school facilities. Helpful information is organized into five steps (assessment, envisioning, planning, development, and implementation of the project). The report acknowledges the connection between curriculum problems and poor building conditions, emphasizing the reasons school buildings are important for educational quality. Additionally, community involvement is critical to improving school buildings. In For Generations to Come, two fundamental premises are reflected:The condition and design of school buildings and grounds affect the quality of education and the vitality of the school and its community.Broad community involvement in decisions affecting public schools results in better education, better facilities, and stronger communities.After discussing the impact of school facilities on learning and the community and providing helpful how-to information on managing an improvement process, the report provides a chapter-by-chapter (and step-by-step) guide.To download a complete copy of the 60-page report, visit (www.edfacilities.org/pubs/for_generations_to_come.pdf). Otherwise, you can order a hard copy from the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities by visiting the National Institute of Building Sciences website (http://nibs.org/pubsncef.html).