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…

Schools and universities across the United States have been forced to cope with a grim financial situation that has left them without adequate resources. Administrators are cutting programs, reining in salaries and jettisoning employees to keep operating budgets in line. Education institutions also have had to shutter facilities or postpone,…

This article discusses how craft innovative architecture is bringing form to the function of 21st-century learning. It describes the construction of New Tech High at Coppell, in Coppell, Texas, which produces an example of how workplace design principles can be coordinated with modern educational goals. The campus was built on the model of New…

This report provides standard facts and figures about the Houston Independent School District's (HISD) finances, student populations, achievements, and more. HISD has humanized that data, as well, with vignettes and profiles that typify the remarkable programs and individuals in the district. One of the three drivers to achieve the vision of…

The first two decades of the 20th century breathed a spirit of progressivism into American life. This freshened sense of possibility extended few social and political benefits to Southern African Americans and their impoverished schools. Several Northern influential philanthropists and their foundations initiated and funded multi-year programs in…

Describes the architectural design, costs, general description, and square footage data for the Joe M. Pirtle Elementary School, Belton Independent School District in Temple, Texas. A floor plan and photos are included along with a list of manufacturers and suppliers used for the project. (GR)

"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…

Describes the prototype design for four prekindergarten schools in Spring Branch Independent School District in Texas, including educational context and design goals. Includes photographs. (EV)

Presents a selection of winners of the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) school architecture competition. Includes a brief description, floor plan, and photographs for each winner. (EV)

Describes a Texas principal's experience of overseeing the consolidation of three elementary schools into a larger facility for nearly 1,000 students. The 3 years spent designing, building, and moving into the new facility were both exhilarating and exhausting. Advice on handling frustrations is provided. (MLH)

A case study is presented of a Texas educational facilities program that was developed to provide long-term state assistance to school districts for the construction or renovation of their facilities by providing equal access to revenue for the specific purpose of repaying debt issued to finance instructional facilities. This report presents a…