School Facilities Matter! In so many ways (how could they not?)
This post contains a brief summary on the importance of equitable and adequate school facilities – a topic unfortunately missing from my 2018 book. So here it is:
I begin with a conceptual model of how investments in school facilities influence working conditions, employee (specifically teacher) attitudes and behaviors, student outcomes, including physical health and academic outcomes, and how investment in school facilities both directly and indirectly drives local housing and property values (Capitalization). Figure 1 presents the conceptual model derived from the existing research on investment in school facilities. Investment in school facilities has both direct effects and indirect effects on student outcomes, and cyclical effects on local communities’ overall quality of life.
Figure 1
Source: Constructed by author based on review of relevant literature herein
Regarding direct effects reflected in Figure 1:
- Higher quality and safer outdoor play spaces lead to improved student health, reducing absences and improving a wide array of short- and long-term student outcomes.
- Improved air and water quality from new and updated systems contribute positively to student and employee health.
- More consistent, higher quality lighting, heating and cooling systems contribute positively to student health (mental and physical) and academic outcomes.
Regarding indirect effects on student outcomes: CONTINUE READING: School Facilities Matter! In so many ways (how could they not?) – School Finance 101
