Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Improving K-12 School Facilities in California |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Gao, Niu, Lafortune, Julien, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) |
| Source: |
Public Policy Institute of California. 2020. |
| Availability: |
Public Policy Institute of California. 500 Washington Street Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94111. Tel: 415-291-4400; Fax: 415-291-4401; Web site: http://www.ppic.org |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
21 |
| Publication Date: |
2020 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Educational Facilities Improvement, Physical Environment, Facility Guidelines, School Closing, School Buildings, Elementary Secondary Education, COVID-19, Pandemics, School Space, Public Schools, Sanitation, School Size, Technology Uses in Education, School Construction, Emergency Programs, Energy Conservation, Civil Rights Legislation, Disabilities, Federal Legislation, Compliance (Legal), Ventilation, Sanitary Facilities, Electronics, School Demography, School Safety, Structural Elements (Construction), Educational Finance, Urban Schools, Suburban Schools, Rural Schools, Charter Schools |
| Geographic Terms: |
California |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: |
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 |
| Abstract: |
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for safe school facilities that protect the health of children and staff. With the first day of school just weeks away, most K-12 schools are likely to rely on distance learning for the start of the academic year. When schools do reopen, adhering to current guidelines on physical distancing, cleaning, and hygiene will require schools to use and operate facilities differently--an added pressure considering many schools were in need of important facilities improvements before the pandemic. In this report, the authors provide the first statewide evidence on the conditions of K-12 school facilities, based on data collected prior to the outbreak. The authors find: (1) Statewide, 38 percent of students go to schools that do not meet the minimum facility standards; (2) Between 2015-16 and 2018-19, 108 schools in 60 districts had to close temporarily due to poor facility conditions; (3) Facility needs go beyond basic building functionality; and (4) COVID-19 has brought additional challenges. Accurate accounting of school facility conditions is essential to reopening schools in a safe and effective manner. Unfortunately, existing data on facility conditions are limited and likely understate schools' needs. The authors recommend that the state begin collecting data to assess building capacity and needs, disaster preparedness, accessibility accommodations, and energy efficiency. [For the technical appendices, see ED607959.] |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2020 |
| Access URL: |
https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/improving-k-12-school-facilities-in-california-august-2020.pdf |
| Accession Number: |
ED607958 |
| Database: |
ERIC |
