Studies show that deteriorating school facilities take their toll on students' and teachers' health and morale. Classrooms should be accessible to the outdoors; clustered around a commons; adaptable and flexible; and aesthetically pleasing. Architects say natural lighting and noise reduction are routine parts of their job. Research studies support…

Describes the importance of school culture and its relationship to school climate. Summarizes research about the key features of school culture and climate, their links to student performance, and the principal's role in improving school climate and culture. (LMI)

Discusses literature on student disengagement in school and efforts to improve student engagement in learning. Includes list of standards for engaged learning. (PKP)

Summarizes research on the causes of school vandalism, especially connection with educational environment. Suggests ways (with examples) for schools to prevent vandalism. Describes three core principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. (PKP)

Building teacher morale involves more than compliments, plaques, and one-time events. Teacher morale is higher in schools where principals create a positive school culture and climate. Sinking teacher morale generally accompanies sinking student achievement. Time constraints, excessive workloads, and insufficient classroom resources take their…

Like British morning programs of recent decades, upstate New York program encourages parents and community residents to get involved in children's education. Parents and community residents--watercolor artists, auto mechanics, doll collectors, and others--are welcomed and valued in schools. Program's purpose is learning, not entertainment. Topics…

Almost 15 percent of children from 6 to 19 years old have some degree of hearing loss in one or both ears. Offers guidelines for screening students' hearing and recommends that interventions begin with classroom acoustics, which affect all children including those with normal hearing. Includes strategies for accommodating hearing-impaired…

Reviews six new books that look at why some reforms succeed and other fail. (MLF)

Administrators everywhere should advocate smaller schools. Tom Sergiovanni says small size is a prerequisite for transforming schools into communities of learners. Other researchers find that small schools enhance personal relationships, are more intellectually oriented, and enhance student participation and academic performance. Administrators…

Research affirms that preschoolers learn best when following their natural dispositions to explore, wonder, question, create, and play. Preschoolers attending early education programs should not be treated like smaller versions of older kids. They need a well-equipped classroom with an ambience that fosters their social and emotional development.…

In this article, the author stresses that teachers need to teach their students to think critically and to reason their way. One prerequisite for teaching critical thinking is a classroom climate of high expectations, teacher warmth and encouragement, and pleasant physical surroundings. Schools should see to it that students become progressively…

Many teachers feel overwhelmed about meeting the needs of students getting ready for tests, and about relations with principals. Four exceptionally high-stress factors that teachers admit carrying into their classrooms are money management, health, relationships, and care giving. A sidebar lists tips for administrators to help alleviate teachers'…

Typically, high performing schools are those with high test scores. Affluent students generally have higher scores than poorer students. True high performing schools require students to take rigorous courses, hire extremely competent teachers, and for teachers to know every student well. They use their limited funds efficiently to improve teaching…

Believing in students is what's behind the best alternative schools. Profiles of various alternative education programs reveal stringent requirements for students' self-discipline and responsibility for learning. Some districts are turning to alternative programs and schools in an effort to keep their regular schools safe. (MLF)

Reviews seven books that concern some of the tough issues in schools such as violence, racial bias, and poverty. Suggests that school board members who read these books can have a firsthand look into the lives of students, teachers, parents, and school executives. Information on ordering the books is provided. (MLF)