Welcome to the new look of American School & University.
Because your time is valuable and your need for information continues to grow, we at AS&U took a good, hard look at how to better deliver the vital information you require to best prepare you for various professional challenges.
Part of the solution is the revamped publication in your hands. The look is different; the perspective is fresh — but the information, data and insight you've come to expect from AS&U is intact. Together with other members of the AS&U family, such as websites schooldesigns.com and asumag.com, and the weekly e-newsletter — “Schoolhouse Beat,” you have myriad opportunities to arm yourself with the resources required to be in the know.
A primary goal of the new look and presentation of this award-winning publication was to better reflect the growing sophistication of your job, as well as of the facilities you are planning, designing, building, operating, maintaining and managing.
Amid the expanded editorial coverage you'll notice two new departments — “Inside:” and “Know-How.”
Inside: is a monthly update that delves into trends and developments regarding a particular topic, providing you an “inside” look at what you need to know. The inaugural department (p. 10) focuses on issues at the federal level that may impact you and your facilities.
Know-How (p. 20) offers strategies, tips and best practices in specific areas that can be adapted or adopted by education institutions nationwide. E-commerce is this month's focus.
Just as this publication has gone through a transformation, so have many education facilities. As more school buildings fall into disrepair and space needs go unmet, states are stepping in — often as a result of court mandates or the threat of lawsuits — and providing billions of dollars to help improve facility conditions. AS&U's Mike Kennedy explores a new era in state and local government cooperation, and how once-ailing facilities are being transformed into inspirational learning environments. Don't miss this month's cover story, titled appropriately: “Transformation” (p. 22).
We hope you enjoy the new look and format, and that the information you've come to rely on from AS&U is delivered in a package that remains compelling and vital to your professional growth.
Agron can be reached at [email protected].
SCORECARD
38
Number of states that have some program that directs funds to school districts for capital expenditures. Includes those forced by court mandates, or the threat of litigation, to provide dollars to improve facilities.
60
Number of bills passed by state legislatures resulting in capital-outlay funding in 1998 — which is more than triple the 18 passed in 1994.
85
Education-related bills tied to tax bases and taxation (many of which specified dollars for facilities) passed in 1995 — the same year the U.S. General Accounting Office released its influential report estimating $112 billion was needed to repair school facilities. The number is more than six times the 13 bills passed in 1994.
9
Number of states (AL, AZ, AR, IL, KS, OH, UT, VA and WY) that made major changes to their school-construction finance systems from 1993 to 1999.
$21.5 BILLION
Amount spent in 2000 by the nation's school districts on new construction, modernization and additions to existing buildings.
