Trending Topics

SUSTAINABILITY

The topic of sustainability as it relates to school facilities has been on the radar for over a decade. In 2016 it remains so but now with some particularly acute challenges and some never before possible solutions. In general the core principles of sustainability include the following:

• Decreasing the amount of energy that the facilities consume (primarily water and electricity)
• Employing materials that are less resource consuming(recycled and less volatile products)
• Enhancing the indoor environment(creating healthier learning environments)

There are many ways that these principles can be implemented, and no two school districts approach them in the exact same way. Keenly specific to 2016 is the dual-focus on the current California drought, therefore water resource management, and the availability of programs to provide for and produce electricity through site-based solar power.

In keeping with the guiding principles of parity, evolution, and maintenance, the 2016 ALSD LRFMP must consider these trending topics on a District-wide basis.

TECHNOLOGY

Since the introduction of the personal computer into the instructional tool-kit of California public schools back in the late 1980s, districts have struggled with the topic of installation, application, and maintenance. The first hurdle was connectivity. Creating pathways to connect computers to each other, to the district, and to the internet was the central focus. Next came the long process of determining how these devices should be used and what for.

In 2016, the focus has shifted to a more robust inclusion in the everyday instructional program. The days of visiting the computer lab are probably gone forever. The devices need to be in the hands of the users (both teachers and students) . . . everywhere and anywhere within the school. That availability of machines and connectivity has brought with it today’s challenge of band width, wireless access, and device provision/replacement.

In keeping with the guiding principles of parity, evolution, and maintenance, the 2016 ALSD LRFMP must consider these trending topics on a District-wide basis.

SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY

While incidents of school safety failures are still incredibly rare, increased media attention has made school districts and the general public acutely aware of the inherent vulnerability (both real and perceived) that confronts the typical public school facility on a daily basis. In 2016 no LRFMP is complete without addressing this important topic.

Schools have traditionally been open to the public. Volunteers, parents, and the general public have been welcome on campus wherever and whenever they have the time to help. That openness is rapidly changing. Schools are now looking to ensure that once the school day begins there is just one, securable ‘single point of entry.’ At many schools this is simple while at others it may require fencing, locks, and sometimes a complete campus reorganization.

Other trending security solutions include the implementation of a VMS (visitor management system) and/or an access control system (electronic card reading locks) in order to assist school based staff with controlling who is on campus or in implementing a ‘lock down.’

In keeping with the guiding principles of parity, evolution, and maintenance, the 2016 ALSD LRFMP must consider these trending topics on a District-wide basis.

21ST CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

The typical public school classroom has remained more or less unchanged for the last 100 years. An instructor lectures to, questions, and tests the same cohesive group of 30+ students on a daily basis. In 2016 much of that model is being challenged. The ‘sage on the stage’ curriculum delivery format is giving way to more individually based instruction. Rote memorization is evolving into project-based instruction highlighted by concept-based problem solving. Small group instructional environments are beginning to dominate classroom time. The standard 960 square foot classroom is being challenged.

Solutions to these challenges vary from school district to school district based on the age of the facilities, their layout, class sizes, and student body makeup. One size does not fit all.

Two things are certain. First, as the technology devices become more portable and access to information becomes more omnipresent, the instructional modality will likewise need to evolve. Second, there is probably no way to tear down and reconstruct every instructional space in the school district. Instead, solutions will naturally come from an evolutionary remodeling of the existing classrooms, shops, and labs. Walls may come down, doors may be opened up, small group zones may be introduced, and in-classroom centers will almost certainly become the norm. The ‘front’ of the classroom will become less discernable as instruction and learning evolve to happen everywhere.