Research/Report
21st Century School Fund (21CSF)
This national report provides a state and national analysis of 20 years (FY1994-2013) of maintenance and operations spending and capital construction investments. It provides a standards framework for what is needed for K-12 public school facilities in the future.
Research/Report
International WELL Building Institute, National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), 21st Century School Fund (21CSF)
This national report finds an $85 billion annual underinvestment in U.S. PK–12 public school infrastructure. It calls for equitable investment and collaborative efforts to modernize facilities and ensure quality education for all students.
Guide/Tool
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This program offers information and recommendations to prepare schools, child care facilities, and states to build a voluntary implementation program to reduce lead levels in drinking water.
Guide/Tool
T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University
This guide instructs users on how to check ventilation rates classrooms.
Article
Texas Association of School Boards
This article provides a brief, accessible overview of evidence linking school facilities to student achievement and makes a case for governing boards to consider investments in modernization.
Research/Report
Education Commission of the States
This website 50-state comparison tables showing how states provide K-12 school construction funding through appropriations and financing support, while exercising authority through oversight and prioritization.
Guide/Tool
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), McIntyre Communications Inc, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
This guide provides an eight-step framework for K–12 schools to achieve zero energy (ZE) status, from planning and design to construction and operation.
Research/Report
Lindsay Baker
This report traces how school buildings have evolved from 1900 to today, focusing on how environmental design features like ventilation, lighting, and acoustics have shaped student health and learning.
Research/Report
California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO)
This report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office in California offers a new blueprint for the K-12 facility finance program, listing recommendations that state legislatures should adopt.
Research/Report
Center for Cities + Schools (CC + S), 21st Century School Fund (21CSF)
This report describes the policy framework needed for community use of public school facilities, discussing how to incorporate joint use into regular public school facility planning and operations.