School districts held an exclusive franchise on public education services until 1991, when Minnesota passed the first law permitting public charter schools. Charter schools are publicly funded, authorized by various agencies designated in public law, but independently managed. They operate outside district control, and most can draw students from…

The nation's major city public school districts have substantial construction, renovation, modernization, and deferred maintenance needs because of the age and size of their school buildings, shifting populations, and the need to devote substantial resources to instructional personnel to meet their core academic mission. For instance, the average…

Why do construction projects fail? Ineffective communication and collaboration, and poor pre-planning processes are among the reasons given by building owners in a recent survey. To avoid those pitfalls, colleges and universities need to take a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to preplanning, financing and carrying out their master plans…

NOVA HIGH SCHOOL OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1963 AS A UNIT OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL CENTER. IT IS EXPERIMENTAL IN CONCEPT, BUT NOT IN CURRICULUM. ITS CONSTRUCTION, FEATURES, EQUIPMENT, TEACHING AIDS, AND INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS HAVE BEEN TESTED AND PROVED IN OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS. ITS PHILOSOPHY REPRESENTS A RETURN TO FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION, BUT ITS…

"Education Matters" is the monthly newsletter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), an organization dedicated to advancing the American teaching profession through personal growth, professional development, teacher advocacy and protection. This issue of the newsletter includes: (1) Quality Counts: Doesn't It? (Kate Walsh and…

This ordinance establishes uniform school impact fees throughout Pasco County, Florida, and details the calculation, collection, administration, and expenditure of school impact fees imposed on new residential construction. The document identifies and reflects major provisions of the ordinance that were significantly modified. These changes…

Reveals how a Florida school district had success when switching from a design-bid-build approach for school construction to a construction management (CM) at risk. The CM at risk process involving project delivery options, maximum price guarantees, and the school district's benefits in cost savings accrued are addressed. (GR)

This booklet provides best practice recommendations for building functional and frugal schools in Florida. Seventeen best practice construction recommendations are addressed, including recommendations for sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, wood and plastics, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, finishes, equipment, furnishings,…

Among recent creative financing arrangements for public sector construction in Florida are the Duval County Central Administration Building, constructed with a lease purchase arrangement, and state legislation that provides for the leasing or sale of air space by local school boards or boards of regents. (MLF)

Describes the design and construction of relocatable modular classroom units that will be used in Florida to provide individual classrooms when and where needed, as well as to construct several complete schools. (JG)

This study examines the current use of manufactured relocatable (portable) classrooms in the public school districts of Florida to determine whether their use is a cost efficient and educationally effective and safe means of handling short-term accommodation needs. Areas of research include: economic impacts; the physical classroom environment;…

This document contains information, photographs, and floor plans of many of Florida's new elementary through high school facilities occupied in 1996. Each entry lists the facility's type, building size, student capacity, and general structural information. Also provided is information on the facility's total construction cost; the architects and…

This document contains information, photographs, and floor plans of many of Florida's new elementary through high school facilities occupied in 1997. Each entry lists the facility's type, building size, student capacity, and general structural information. Also provided is information on the facility's total construction cost; the architects and…

This document contains information, photographs, and floor plans of many of Florida's new elementary through high school facilities occupied in 1998. Each entry lists the facility's type, building size, student capacity, and general structural information. Also provided is information on the facility's total construction cost; the architects and…

Describes how a Florida district accommodated an influx of students by using portable, self-contained classrooms built around a permanent core of offices: a modular campus. Discusses the search for classroom space, how to integrate the modular pieces into the setting, and outlines the savings and benefits of this process. (RJM)