Resource Lists
TEACHERS WORKING CONDITIONS
Information on the effects of school facility condition on teachers. References to Books and Other Media
Exploring Characteristics of Public School Facilities and Resources and Their Relationship With Teacher Retention ![]() Brendle-Corum. Anita Dawn (Dissertation, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Aug 2010)
The purpose of this study was to examine how the eight items within the public school Facilities and Resources domain of the 2008 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions survey predict teachers’ stated intentions to return to the same assignment in North Carolina. The survey items were divided into three clusters: technology, facilities, and instructional materials. A discriminant function analysis was conducted to predict teachers’ stated intentions to return to the same assignment or to change positions. This study found that teachers want to work in a school environment that is safe and has sufficient access to appropriate instructional materials and resources to teach effectively. The study also found that the survey respondents in the “stay” group, which are the teachers that did not plan to leave their current assignment, were classified with better accuracy (96.6%) and were more positive about their work environment. The results of this study confirm a relationship between teachers’ stated intentions to stay in their current assignment, the condition of school facilities, and the availability of resources in public schools in North Carolina. Implications for policy and practice are presented along with suggestions for further research. [Author's abstract]
108p.
A Study of Teacher Experiences During a Renovation Project.
Shifflett, Douglas (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg , Mar 17, 2010)
Reports teacher perceptions during the renovation of two high schools in Virginia. The two high schools had the same renovation timeline, floor plan, architectural design team, and construction company. The first major finding found overall teacher satisfaction was minimally affected by the renovation project. Differences between satisfied and dissatisfied teachers involving cleanliness, considering relocating during the project, seeking a transfer to avoid another project, and room temperature were found to have significance and moderate effect sizes. While teachers at both schools felt safe during the renovation project and odor had an effect on satisfaction, satisfaction levels were different at each school. The study also concludes the need for doctoral and principal preparation programs to include information regarding the leadership role during a renovation project and how decisions may affect teacher satisfaction. [author's abstract] 133p.
The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching and Learning.
(OWP/P Architects, Chicago, IL , Jan 2009)
Examines the link between how one learns and where one learns. Case studies, interviews, and written contributions are organized under 79 practical topics for how design can be used to transform teaching and learning. The book is a collaborative effort among school architects, school furniture suppliers, and designers.
The Third Teacher encourages teachers to develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions of designers and understand that we all create the world in which we live. This book also shows how even the students can become designers of their learning environments. 257p.
The Condition of the High School Facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia's Metropolitan School Divisions and the Relationship to Teacher Satisfaction. Ruszala, Julie Ann (Dissertation, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. , Aug 2008)
With the increasing age and extensive growth of our nation's school systems, school administrators and building designers have become more concerned with the effects of building conditions and those who work there. This study was undertaken to assess the condition of the high school facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia's metropolitan school divisions and to determine whether or not there was a direct relationship between teacher satisfaction and building conditions. Two survey instruments were utilized to answer the proposed research questions. The Commonwealth Assessment of Physical Environment (CAPE) survey was designed by Cash (1993) and provided an accurate representation of the physical environment for school buildings. The Teacher Opinionaire of Physical Environment (TOPE) survey designed by Ruszala (2006), measured teacher satisfaction in relationship to specific school building conditions. The Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that a moderate positive correlation was found between the overall building condition as reported by the CAPE and overall teacher satisfaction as reported by the TOPE. Teachers were in pretty strong agreement with the principals on the condition of their school building.{Author's abstract]
232p.
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Public School Facilities and Teacher Job Satisfaction. Stallings, Dwayne K. (Dissertation, East Carolina University, Aug 2008)
A growing body of research suggests the physical condition of public school facilities and the availability of resources, including technology, impact teachers' job satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to explore the difference between teachers who plan to stay in current positions and those who plan to leave in terms of their perceptions of the conditions of public school facilities and the availability of resources, including technology. The study suggests that work environment and availability of resources do impact the job satisfaction of teachers and may be associated with their decisions to remain in teaching. Although many factors influence teacher job satisfaction and teacher retention, the results of this study confirm that educators and policymakers should address the physical conditions of public school facilities and availability of resources as part of their efforts to improve teacher job satisfaction and increase teacher retention. [Author's abstract]
183p.
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Why Classroom Amplification Systems Help Teachers Teach and Students Learn: Preventing Teacher Vocal Disorders and Helping Students Hear in the Classroom. ![]() (SMART Technologies ULC, 2008)
White paper explores how classroom amplification systems offer a simple, affordable
way to improve classroom acoustics, save teachers’ voices, and
enhance student engagement and performance. 9p.
Report on the School Environment: Survey 2007 Results. [United Kingdom]
![]() (Teacher Support Network, London, United Kingdom , 2007)
Reports the results of a British survey of teachers regarding their school environment. 530 respondents rated their schools for design, layout, lighting, ventilation, furnishings, flexibility, safety, and physical activity accommodation. 32 percent of the respondents rating their environment as poor, and 87 percent believed that the environment had an influence on pupil behavior. 6p.
Building Minds, Minding Buildings. Turning Crumbling Schools Into Environments for Learning.
![]() (American Federation of Teachers, Washington, DC , Dec 2006)
Describes negative consequences of poor and unhealthy facility conditions, mold, overcrowded classrooms, and noise in schools. Recommendations for federal and state actions to renovate or build new and improved schools using proven, cost-effective and environmentally sound solutions are presented, illustrated with examples from districts around the country. Describes the elements of well-designed, well-built, well-maintained
schools. Includes 21 references.
23p.
The Workplace Matters: Teacher Quality, Retention, and Effectiveness. Working Paper.
Johnson, Susan Moore (National Education Association, Washington, D.C. , Jul 2006)
This report describes workplace conditions that support effective instruction and professional growth according to recent research. Key workplace conditions include: fair teaching assignments; opportunities for teachers to collaborate with colleagues; extra induction support, ongoing professional development, and expanded career opportunities; support for working with students, curricular support for high standards, adequate and safe facilities, and a supportive school leadership. The report emphasizes the influence of substandard workplace conditions on the high rates at which teachers--especially new teachers--leave their schools or quit the profession altogether. It suggests greater numbers of talented teachers can be retained through improvements in workplace conditions, particularly at hard-to-staff schools. A list of additional research resources is appended. 34p.
The Walls Speak: The Interplay of Quality Facilities, School Climate, and Student Achievement.
![]() (San Diego State University, College of Education , 2006)
Presents results of a study conducted at 82 Virginia middle schools, where randomly selected faculty were surveyed on a variety of issues at their school, including facility condition. The research determined that quality of the school facility was positively related to school climate variables and student achievement, but the precise role of school climate a mediating variable between facility quality and student achievement is yet to be determined. Includes 23 references. 6p.
A Quick Guide for Floating Teachers.
![]() (Cecil County Public Schools, Elkton, MD , 2005)
Advises teachers without permanent classrooms on what facilities privileges they need to ask for, how to claim and organize their space, and how to instill respect for the room on the part of the students. 11p.
Quality Teaching in At-Risk Schools, Key Issue: Improving the Working Environment of Teachers.
![]() (Learning Point Associates, Naperville, IL , 2005)
Presents ten strategies for improving the work environment of teachers in at-risk schools. Facilities issues are covered in strategy five, which concerns small learning communities and small class sizes. Each strategy is accompanied by an annotated list of resources. 51p.
The Effects of School Facility Quality on Teacher Retention in Urban School Districts.
![]() Buckley, Jack; Schneider, Mark; Shang, Yi (National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, Washington, DC , Feb 2004)
The attrition of both new and experienced teachers is a great challenge for schools and school administrators throughout the United States, particularly in large urban districts. Because of the importance of this issue, there is a large empirical literature that investigates why teachers quit and how they might be better induced to stay. The authors build upon this literature by suggesting another important factor: the quality of school facilities. The importance of facility quality is investigated using data from a survey of K-12 teachers in Washington, D.C. The authors find in their sample that facility quality is an important predictor of the decision of teachers to leave their current position. [Author's abstract] 12p.
EIS Survey of New and Refurbished Schools. [Scotland]
(Educational Institute of Scotland, Edinburgh , 2004)
Presents the results of a survey of Scottish school teachers working in new or renovated schools. Only 27 percent of teachers believed that their comments had had any impact on the final plans, and numbers for involvement with specific issues (HVAC, accessibility, lighting, safety and security) were considerably lower still. Satisfaction with completed projects, however, was somewhat higher, with ranges between 40 and 60 percent. 42p.
Linking School Facility Conditions to Teacher Satisfaction and Success.
![]() Schneider, Mark (National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, Washington, DC. , Aug 2003)
School facilities directly affect teaching and learning. Poor conditions make it more difficult for teachers to deliver an adequate education to their students, adversely affect teachers' health, and increase the likelihood that teachers will leave their school. This study documented how teachers in Chicago and Washington, DC rated their working conditions and perceived the affect of those conditions on their job performance and teaching effectiveness. Teachers noted the inadequacy or lack of science, music, and art classrooms. Significant numbers rated physical education and recreational facilities as not very or not at all adequate. Over 40 percent of teachers considered their classrooms the wrong size for the type of education they delivered. Over 25 percent taught in non-classroom spaces. About one-third of teachers had little or no teacher workspace. Most teachers reported fair or poor indoor air quality. Significant numbers noted poor thermal comfort, poor lighting, dirty and inoperable windows, and dirty restrooms. Many teachers felt their classrooms and hallways were so noisy that it affected their ability to teach, and many believed that school conditions affected their career decisions. 4p.
Public School Facilities and Teaching: Washington, DC and Chicago.
![]() Schneider, Mark (21st Century School Fund, Washington, D.C.; Building Educational Success Together Initiative. , Nov 2002)
This study was designed to assess the effect of school facilities on teaching. A survey of Chicago and Washington, DC public school teachers was used to: identify what teachers feel supports their ability to teach, assess the adequacy of school conditions and school design as experienced by teachers, examine the distribution of quality school facilities, and identify the impact of facilities on learning outcomes. The study also linked conditions as reported by teachers to student demographics and test scores, official school building assessments, and current research on the effect of K-12 educational facilities on learning. The study concludes that teachers in both Washington, DC and Chicago report many shortcomings in the facilities that are essential to delivering a high-quality education. They further report that much of the infrastructure they work in is inadequate to meet the increasingly strict standards of academic achievement that are now being set by school districts, states, and the federal government. 39p.
National Survey of Public School Teachers.
![]() (Beth Schapiro and Associates, Atlanta, GA , Mar 2001)
Presents the findings of a national survey of 1,050 public school teachers. The survey, which examines teachers' opinions regarding the relationship between interior design and academic performance, was conducted for the Carpet and Rug Institute and the International Interior Design Association Foundation. Survey results indicate that teachers from all grade levels across the country realize that a well-designed classroom enhances their ability to teach and their students' ability to learn. Results also suggest that most teachers see advantages of carpet in the classroom, particularly in regards to acoustics and comfort as well as the flexibility offered by carpet. 16p.
School Renovation: Protecting Staff and Students.
![]() (American Federation of Teachers. , 2001)
If renovations are undertaken when a school is in session, precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to roofing fumes, dust, paint, and adhesive vapors among others. This discusses control options, good work practices, project control specifications, and commissioning the area. 4p.
The Impact of School Facilities on Student Achievement, Behavior, Attendance, and Teacher Turnover Rate at Selected Texas Middle Schools in Region XIII ESC.
O'Neill, David John (Doctoral Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station , Aug 2000)
Explores whether improving school buildings has a direct and positive affect on student learning, attendance, and teacher turnover rates. The study shows a direct relationship between building quality and student achievement. The author’s recommendations include: 1) designing school buildings and classrooms to accommodate the instructional program, including carpeting, utilizing the latest technology, adequate storage for teachers and student projects, and minimizing disruptive noises; and 2) making items such as daily custodial care, maintenance, and needed renovations a priority when administrators are planning a district budget. 228p.
Report NO: 9980195TO ORDER: http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb
Poor Indoor Air Quality Interferes with the Learning Environment.
(Environmental Protection Agency, IAQ Tools for Schools, Washington, DC, 2000)
Describes the role that teachers, staff, and parents play on the indoor air quality action team as taking action to ensure comfort, health, and reduced sick days for teachers and students, and helping lower the risk of long-term health problems related
to indoor air quality in a school.
A Descriptive Analysis of the Perspectives of Neville High School's Teachers Regarding the Schools Renovation
![]() Dawson, Christella G. B.; Parker, D. Randall ( Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association,New Orleans, LA , Nov 05, 1998)
This paper describes a study conducted at Neville High School (Louisiana) in 1996-1997 designed to examine the effects of facility renovation on faculty morale. Questions considered participant views of the renovation process; their levels of frustration; their concerns over changes in certain physical properties that may effect school tradition and heritage; and feelings of pride, motivation, and new attitudes. Findings show a wide spread of competing emotions, e.g., participants expressed negative comments about change while indicating how excited they were about the newness of it all. Despite numerous negative comments, overall morale appeared to be higher as a result of the renovations. 32p.
Where Our Children Learn Matters: A Report on the Virginia School Facilities Impact Study.
![]() Duke, Daniel L.; And Others (Thomas Jefferson Center for Educational Design, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA , 1998)
This report presents results from a survey designed to better understand the connection between facilities, learning, and teaching in Virginia. The survey questions
reflect the following five areas of concern attributable to facility inadequacies: lost instructional time; reduced effectiveness in learning and teaching; diminished curricular options; school facilities and students with special needs; and student health and safety. Findings reveal that facility inadequacies, either through deterioration, obsolescence, or out-of-date mandates, exacerbated each area of concern. Recommendations are provided pointing to the need for greater state supports. 11p.
Can Noise Levels at School Gymnasia Cause Hearing Loss: A Case Study of a Physical Education Teacher
Jiang, Tao et al (Popular version of paper presented at the 133rd Acoustical Society of America Meeting, State College, PA, Jun 17, 1997)
Noise
at schools has attracted attention from acoustic scientists and
audiologists; there is amounting evidence that excessive noise is
widespread in educational settings. Poor acoustic conditions reduce
speech intelligibility in classrooms and affect attention and academic
performance of students. Noise makes teachers uncomfortable and can
even be detrimental to their teaching.
Job Satisfaction among America's Teachers: Effects of Workplace Conditions, Background Characteristics, and Teacher Compensation.
![]() Perie, Marianne; Baker, David P. (American Institutes for Research, Washington, DC, 1997)
This report describes U.S. K-12 teachers' satisfaction with teaching as a career and identifies some
workplace-related factors associated with satisfaction. Factors examined include school and workplace characteristics, teacher background, salary, and other benefits. Results are presented in three sections. The first section describes satisfaction levels of teachers with different background characteristics, teaching in different types of schools and school systems, with different perceptions of workplace conditions, and receiving different levels of compensation. The second section contrasts characteristics of most and least satisfied teachers. Using multivariate analysis, the third section describes the strength of association between teacher satisfaction and those workplace conditions open to policy
changes after accounting for other relevant teacher and school characteristics. Findings indicate that working conditions related to satisfaction are administrative support and leadership, student behavior, and school atmosphere. Compensation is only modestly related to teacher satisfaction.
An Investigative Study of the Relationship of the Physical Environment to Teacher Professionalism in the State of Mississippi Public Schools.
Williams, Cardell (Doctoral Dissertation, Jackson State University, Mississippi , May 1995)
Investigates 1994 State Teacher of the Year Nominees’ perceptions of how school facilities enhance their ability to function as professionals. The study revealed that of the 21 identified environmental aspects, the respondents were well satisfied with: location; space utilization; ambient features (heating, ventilation, lighting, acoustics, colors); windows; floor coverings; classroom furnishings; classroom equipment; teacher storage; in-building communication; conference area; teacher restroom; teacher parking; teacher planning area; teacher lounge area; and teacher dining area. The respondents ranked classroom equipment, classroom furnishings, ambient features, space utilization, and location of instruction as the most important environmental aspects. 156p.
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Creating Learning Places for Teachers, Too.
Frase, Larry E.; Conley, Sharon C. (Corwin Press, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, 1994)
This book advances the premise that teachers, in addition to students, must be viewed as customers of
the school. Teachers' jobs and work environments must therefore be redesigned for maximum professional growth and development. Unless teachers are supported in developing a quality work environment, efforts to improve schools will be marginally successful. 120p.
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Educational Facilities: The Impact and Role of the Physical Environment of the School on Teaching, Learning and Educational Outcomes.
![]() Lackney, Jeffery A. (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Center for Architecture & Urban Planning Research , 1994)
This study examines the degree to which frail physical school infrastructures have affected education over the past 10 years and the impact and role of the school building in achieving outcome-based goals of education reform. Chapter 1 examines the scope of deteriorating school buildings in the United States. Chapter 2 offers a case study of the Milwaukee Public Schools Facility Master Plan to illustrate the societal context in which these issues are often resolved (or ignored). Chapters 3 and 4 provide a detailed literature review on public elementary school environments and open space schools. Chapter 5 addresses the process of developing and managing school facilities, and critiquing and reconceptualizing the current educational facility planning model. Chapter 6 synthesizes and builds upon existing models and frameworks developed within the educational, environmental psychology and architectural literature to develop one conceptual framework: a multidimensional model of educational environments. The appendix contains an annotated bibliography of educational environments. 133p.
Report NO: R94-4
Deteriorating School Facilities and Student Learning. ERIC Digest.
Frazier, Linda M. (ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management,Eugene,OR, 1993)
Many facilities in American public schools are in disrepair, a situation negatively affecting the morale, health, and learning of students and teachers. Limited research shows that children's ability to learn is affected by the school environment.Many schools postpone repairs during tight financial times to pay for academic programs. Some school officials and communities are pursuing innovative, grassroots solutions to maintaining school facilities. Billions of dollars are needed to refurbish schools and construct new facilities, requiring strong federal support.
Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures: The Case for Improving School Environment.
Henderson, Alan C. (ETR Associates, Santa Cruz, CA, 1993)
This book addresses the school as a worksite for faculty, staff, and administrators; as a learning site for
students; and as an important site for creating a healthy, productive environment. Born out of a commitment to health education as an essential strategy for maintaining public health, this book contends that the physical condition of the school; its psychological and social climate; and its efforts to protect, promote, and improve health become important components of the daily lives of students and staff. The appendixes provide lists of options for change and steps toward health promotion program development, a strategic plan outline, and a list of 40 resources. 134p
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Surviving the Worst, Expecting the Best: Teacher Perceptions of Work Life in Virginia Schools.
![]() (Appalachia Educational Lab., Charleston, WV.; Virginia Education Association, Richmond, 1991)
The qualitative study described in this document presents Virginia teachers' perceptions on 10 factors
that influence their work environment: resources/instructional materials; physical facilities/class size; professional development; teacher-teacher interactions; teacher-administrator interactions; teacher-student interactions; school-parent/community interactions and involvement; school goals and objectives; school decision making and change; and personnel policies. Working conditions described by teachers who participated in regional focus group interviews varied greatly; however, with few exceptions, these teachers expressed dissatisfaction with such conditions as overcrowding, climate control problems, and poorly organized instructional space. Recommendations for policy and practice to improve working conditions, a bibliography listing 48 references, and four appendices 69p.
The Interface Between Educational Facilities and Learning Climate in Three Elementary Schools
Lowe, Jerry Milton (Unpublished dissertation. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 1990)
Research was conducted on three campuses during spring, 1989. Results of the study
provided the following insights into the six components of the research question. (1)
Building age, when considered alone, did not appear to impact learning climate. (2)
Design and appearance of the facility appeared to impact learning climate. (3) Building
square footage seemed to have a marginal impact upon school learning climate. (4)
Size and organization of instructional space had a major impact upon the learning
climate of a school. (5) Building maintainability appeared to impact learning climate.
(6) Results of the study imply that campus location has a significant impact upon
learning climate. Data for the study were obtained from parents, teachers, and
administrators. Two forms of instrumentation were developed by the researcher: the
Classroom Spatial Utilization and Migration Observation Form was developed by the
researcher to enhance the observation of classroom spatial organization and
movement patterns of students, and teachers within a specific instructional space. The
Teachers' Educational Facility Perception Questionnaire was developed by the
researcher to assess the feelings of teachers concerning the school building which
they taught. 227p
School Facilities: The Relationship of the Physical Environment to Teacher Professionalism.
![]() Overbaugh, Betty Lightfoot (Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station , 1990)
This study determined the perceptions of 38 state Teachers of the Year (1988) had about how school facilities affected their ability to function as professionals. Data from a 105-item questionnaire revealed that, except for space utilization, the teachers were satisfied with all the physical environmental aspects of their schools instructional areas. They were also satisfied with noninstructional features except for telephones for teacher use; teacher to teacher conference areas; teacher professional libraries; and planning, lounge, and dining areas. Statistically significant differences in perception were found by gender, teaching level, and years of experience. The teachers ranked classroom furnishings, equipment, and ambient features as most important environmental features. They were least pleased with space utilization; acoustics; thermal conditions; equipment; and areas for planning, conferencing, and relaxation in their schools. The respondents also suggested features from their present facilities and features to add when planning new schools. 143p.
Working in Urban Schools.
![]() Corcoran, Thomas B.; And Others (Institute for Educational Leadership, Washington, DC , 1988)
This document on the working conditions of urban teachers reports data from a survey of 31 elementary,
middle, and secondary schools in five urban school districts. More than 400 interviews were conducted with teachers, school
administrators, central office personnel, district officials, board members, and union officials. The observations, interviews, and
analyses confirm that, in most of these schools, the working conditions of teachers are bleak and would not be tolerated in other
professions. According to the study, the physical condition of a school has a direct effect on teacher morale, sense of personal safety, feelings of effectiveness, and general learning environment. 175p.
Improving the Quality of Work Life in Public Schools.
![]() Corcoran, Thomas B. (Pennsylvania , 1986)
This paper offers a traditional but often neglected view of schools as places of work. It argues that schools are best understood as places where people work and face problems similar to those encountered in other work organizations. Good schools are places where the quality and quantity of work are greater and the work is integrated more effectively. Since learning is the joint product of the work of staff and students, increasing learning requires more or better work by one or both groups. The productivity of workers is affected by the characteristics of work tasks and the work setting. Effective schools share with productive organizations the following characteristics--clear goals, a high task orientation, feedback on performance, high levels of employee discretion, adequate resources, and effective leadership. Achievement, recognition, professional autonomy, and participative decision making also affect employee productivity. In conclusion, understanding how more and better work can be done in the schools is essential to successful reform. 24p.
Educators in Crisis: The Need to Improve the Teaching Workplace and Teaching as a Profession.
Wangberg, Elaine G. (Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, New York, NY, Mar 09, 1984)
A survey questionnaire, designed to explore the extent of job dissatisfaction among female elementary
school teachers, elicited responses from 255 subjects with varying demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds from different parts of the country. Nearly 40 percent of the women indicated they would not again choose elementary teaching as a career. Two factors were identified as underlying themes related to teacher job dissatisfaction: working conditions, and
perceptions of women's roles in professions. Some of the most frequent additional teacher comments concerned poor working conditions, the increase of paperwork, the declining status of teachers, and the availability of other job options. Recommendations are offered to improve the teaching workplace and teaching as a profession. 13p.
The School's Macro and Micro Physical Environment: A Link to Understanding Stress.
Conners, Dennis A. (Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, NY, Mar 19, 1982)
Defining stress as a "misfit" between individual needs and environmental attributes, this paper reviews
research on areas where the designed environment, on both a schoolwide and a classroom level, interacts with the educational process. These interactions are considered from the perspective of stresses imposed on both teachers and students. The macro-environment of the school is examined in terms of its effect on the social interaction, wayfinding, and spatial orientation of users. The micro-environmental variables occurring in classrooms discussed include seating position, classroom design, density (number of students per unit of space), privacy, and noise, and their stress-producing impact on the classroom unit 19p.
References to Journal Articles
Influence of Classroom Acoustics on the Voice Levels of Teachers With and Without Voice Problems: A Field Study.
Pelegrin-Garcia, David; Lyberg-Åhlander,Viveka; Rydell, Roland; Brunskog, Jonas POMA; v11 n1 , p060001-060001-9 ; Dec 15, 2010
Examines how classroom acoustics interacts with the voices of 14 teachers without voice problems and 13 teachers with voice problems. The assessment of the voice problems was made with a questionnaire and a laryngological examination. Results suggest that teachers with voice problems are more aware of classroom acoustic conditions than their healthy colleagues and make use of the more supportive rooms to lower their voice levels. This behavior may result from an adaptation process of the teachers with voice problems to preserve their voices. [Authors' abstract]
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Voice of the Teacher. Bogle, Ron Catalyst (Publication of American Architectural Foundation); , p8-19 ; Summer 2010
Explores the relationship between school design and teaching. The American Architectural Foundation visited seven schools that have been recognized nationally for their innovative design, turning to the educators who work in them for insight. Describes two trends in particular revolutionizing the design of the learning environment: 1.the shift from the teacher as a “sole practitioner” to interactive team teaching and 2.the recognition that students have a variety of learning styles requiring varied and flexible learning situations.
Classroom Amplification.
Dolan, Thomas School Planning and Management; v49 n7 , p32-34 ; Jul 2010
Discusses amplification of teacher's voices, noting professional warnings against the practice, as well as documented improvement of student performance where teacher amplification has been installed. Correct design of sound systems are discussed, as is teacher enthusiasm over the practice.
Teacher Attitudes about Classroom Conditions.
Earthman, Glen; Lemasters, Linda Journal of Educational Administration; v47 n3 , p323-335 ; 2009
Investigates the possible relationship between the attitudes, teachers have about the condition of their classrooms when the classrooms were independently assessed. Previous research reported teachers in unsatisfactory classrooms felt frustrated and neglected to such an extent that they sometimes reported they were willing to leave the teaching profession. Eleven high schools in which the principals state the buildings are in unsatisfactory condition are identified and matched with 11 schools assessed as being in satisfactory condition. The differences between the responses of teachers in satisfactory buildings were significantly different than those of teachers in unsatisfactory buildings. The findings indicate that the physical environment influences attitudes of teachers, which in turn affects their productivity. Such effects could cause morale problems in the teaching staff.
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Teacher Perceptions of the Use of a Public-Private Partnership for School Facility Provision. [United Kingdom]
Journal of School Public Relations; v29 n1 , p74-90 ; Winter 2008
This article considers how the private finance initiative, a contract for infrastructure, affected teachers' perceptions of efficacy, job satisfaction, and morale at an urban secondary school in the United Kingdom. Qualitative data collection techniques, including unstructured observation and semistructured personal interviews, were utilized to determine teachers' perceptions. The findings indicate that two facets of the initiative were problematic for educational programming: the private corporation's control over construction design and its subsequent control over facility management. Implications of this research for lease-purchase agreements in the United States are discussed.
Impact of School Facilities on Working Behavior of Teachers.
![]() Leung, Mei-yung; Chan, John; Wang, Zhaohong International Journal of Strategic Property Management; n10 , p79-91 ; Jan 2006
Presents the results of a survey of teacher working behavior in new versus old Hong Kong schools. The study was conducted with teachers who had worked in old traditional school buildings and then moved to new school buildings. Since staff rooms are the major working areas for teachers, the study focused on the levels of satisfaction with the performance of facilities management in the staff rooms of primary schools and on the working behavior of primary teachers. The results showed that facilities management in the staff rooms of the new millennium schools in Hong Kong was remarkably different from facilities management in the old schools. However, the teachers did not consider that their working behavior was significantly better in the new schools
Fix It and They Might Stay: School Facility Quality and Teacher Retention in Washington, D.C.
Buckley, Jack; Schneider, Mark; and Shang, Yi Teachers College Record; v107 n5 , p1107–1123 ; May 2005
The attrition of both new and experienced teachers is a challenge for schools and school administrators throughout the United States, particularly in large urban districts. Because of the importance of this issue, there is a large empirical literature that investigates why teachers quit and how they might be induced to stay. Here we build upon this literature by suggesting another important factor in the teacher decision to stay or leave: the quality of school facilities. We investigate the importance of facility quality using data from a survey of K–12 public school teachers in Washington, D.C. We find in our sample that facility quality is an important predictor of the decision of teachers to leave their current position, even after controlling for other contributing factors. [Authors' abstract]
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Teacher Working Conditions are Student Learning Conditions.
![]() Teaching Quality in the Southeast: Best Practices & Policies; v3 n9 , p1-4 ; Nov 2004
This describes how the Southeast Center for Teaching Quality is using teacher surveys to document working conditions; reports on early returns from a survey conducted in North Carolina; describes potential actions for responding to working conditions needs; and makes recommendations for actions that states, districts, and schools should consider.
School Physical Environment and Teacher and Student Morale: Is There a Connection?
Tanner, C. Kenneth; Morris, Roy F. School Business Affairs; v68 n10 , p4-8 ; Nov 2002
Proposes methodology to investigate the relationship between a school's physical environment and the morale of teachers and students. Includes questionnaire on morale and school facilities. (15 references)
Air Rights.
Clark, Charles S. Teacher Magazine; v14 n1 , p11 ; Aug 2002
Discussion of how poor air quality in schools affects teachers. According to experts, bad air is good for no one, but teachers may be more at risk of developing health problems from it than their students because many teachers work in a school for 30 years, while students come for just a few years, which has to be factored into measures of exposure.
Clearing The Air.
Hill, David Teacher Magazine; v13 n3 , p32-37 ; Nov 2001
Case study of Whitaker Middle School in Portland, Oregon where teachers were convinced that they had suffered various health problems—dizziness, asthma, headaches, and more—because of the school building. In fact, tests showed that the building's air was laden with contaminants. The building had been plagued over the years by two serious health hazards: mold and radon.
Building Blocks; How Schools are Designed and Constructed Affects How Students Learn.
Black, Susan American School Board Journal; v188 n10 , p44-47 ; Oct 2001
Studies show that deteriorating school facilities take their toll on students' and teachers' health and morale. Classrooms should be accessible to the outdoors; clustered around a commons; adaptable and flexible; and aesthetically pleasing. Architects say natural lighting and noise reduction are routine parts of their job. Research studies support the concept of small schools or subdivisions that create a sense of smallness. Sidebars list factors school officials should keep in mind when choosing an architect, and selected references.
Morale Matters: When Teachers Feel Good about Their Work, Research Shows, Student Achievement Rises.
Black, Susan American School Board Journal; v188 n1 , p40-43 ; Jan 2001
Building teacher morale involves more than compliments, plaques, and one-time events. Teacher morale is higher in schools where principals create a positive school culture and climate. Sinking teacher morale generally accompanies sinking student achievement. Time constraints, excessive workloads, and insufficient classroom resources take their toll.
Existing School Door Hardware Puts Teachers at Risk During Emergencies.
Guidi, Peter J. Eschool News Online; Mar 01, 2000
Provides a brief history of classroom door locking mechanisms ("locksets") and recommends dual cylinder, ANSI F88 locksets for classroom use. F88 locksets allow doors to be locked from either side to prevent entry into the classroom from the corridor side, but they cannot be locked (in accordance with building and fire code requirements) to prevent egress from the classroom. The capability to quickly lock the door from either side is the fastest solution for “lockdown” situations. Additionally, F88 lever-style locksets meet all ADA requirements. Installation costs are several hundred dollars per door.
Listening to Another Voice. Assessing the Work Environment.
Long, Laura Facilities Manager; v16 n2 , p35-38 ; Mar-Apr 2000
Explores work environment assessment when the employees are asked to offer their assessment. A sample survey is provided along with an explanation of its components and tips on analyzing the work environment data collected.
Teachers' Images of Their Schools and Perceptions of Their Work Environments.
Fisher, Darrell; Grady, Neville School Effectiveness and School Improvement; v9 n3 , p334-48 ; Sep 1998
Describes development of the Images Through Metaphor Questionnaire and its application in an investigation of relationships between 162 (Tasmanian) teachers' images of their schools and their perceptions of their work environment as assessed by the School Level Environment Questionnaire. Results revealed a strong relationship between these images.(35 references)
Something in the Air.
Portner, Jessica Teacher Magazine; May 1998
Discussion of indoor air quality problems plaguing North Country Union High School in Nenwport, Vermont that affected teachers, staff, and students who suffered colds, debilitating migraine headaches, and frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting. Tests of the school by independent environmental consultants found low levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, and styrene, a narcotic. Both chemicals are found in cleaning agents. One test also showed evidence of carbon monoxide in the wing of the building near the auto shop, where students' test-cars idle. Administrators agreed that the U-shaped brick complex built in 1967 had some air-quality problems, and they moved to correct them.
Outrage!
Odom, J. David, III; Barr, Christine R. School Planning and Management; v37 n4 , p44-48 ; Apr 1998
Discusses how early and frequent communication to students, teachers, staff, and parents concerning the indoor air quality (IAQ) in their schools can save money and time in air-quality problem solving. Further, it examines the relationship between building occupant anger to an IAQ problem and the activity level and costs associated with its solution.
Flexing with the Times.
Pettit, Jon American School and University; v69 n12 , p87-89 ; Aug 1997
Explains how schools can be designed to meet the changing needs in
education, such as changes in classroom function, educational
technology, curriculum, and enrollment. Ideas for creating interior design
flexibility that optimizes space utilization without increasing cost demands are suggested. Each teacher brings a unique style to the classroom and demands the room function accordingly. Teaching different things in different ways means spaces need to support a variety of activities. Schools need areas for independent study, small-group projects, full-group lessons and two- or three-class presentations. Rooms must allow the possibility of any and all demands.
Teacher Commitment, Working Conditions, and Differential Incentive Policies.
Firestone, William A.; Pennell, James R. Review of Educational Research; v63 n4 , p489-525 ; Winter 1993
This article develops a framework for assessing how differential incentive policies affect teacher commitment and identifies key workplace conditions, including facilities, contributing to commitment. The framework is used to assess effects of such differential incentive policies as merit pay and career ladders. Increasing participation, collaboration, and feedback is advocated over differential incentives.
Warning: Your School May Be Hazardous to Your Health.
Gursky, Daniel Teacher Magazine; v2 n6 , p34-35 ; Mar 1991
Discusses the fact that many teachers unknowingly breathe air and drink water that may contain low levels of harmful material. Exposure on the job over the years may present significant health risks. This article examines the problems of indoor air pollution, pesticides, asbestos, lead in drinking water, and radon.
Inservicing Teachers and Administrators on
Classroom Environment
Frohreich, Lloyd E. CEFPI Journal; v24 n2 ; Mar-Apr 1986
The author addresses the environmental issues of lighting, noise and temperature and their affect on the learning process. He further suggests that
teachers and administrators be made aware of these issues during one of their
annual inservice training programs. He also suggests administering a diagnostic
test containing 20 statements on environmental issues as a method of
beginning the inservice training and raising the issues in the teaching
profession.
Where Will the Teachers Teach After
the Buildings Fall Down
Honeyman, David S. CEFPI Journal; Vol 22, Num 03, May-Jun 1984 ; May-Jun 1984
Honeyman recognizes the fact that vast sums of money need to be spent on renovation, repair, and replacement of educational facilities. Teachers and
unions must realize that a solid capital fund position does not imply that school
executives do not care about teacher's salaries.
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