School districts have the disadvantage of building schools that last for decades to meet student enrollments that can shift tomorrow. Sometimes that leaves districts with unused properties that once served an important purpose but don’t any longer. When that disuse is more …
The California Community College system is considered one of the best in the world, but even they can use help in finding ways to improve vocational training. Image source: Wikimedia Commons In California, we have a unique relationship with our community college …
In some schools, traditional computer labs are going obsolete or being repurposed. Image source: Flickr CC user woodley waterworks Once upon a time, the school computer lab was the ‘it’ place to be at school. Kids were privileged to enter a magical …
In January 2015, New Haven Unified School District closed escrow on the sale of the former school site, Cabello Elementary School, giving the District a much needed infusion of significant funds to help overcome prolonged state budget cuts. For over three (3) …
Around the country and especially here in sunny California, public and private schools have been among the first large institutions to embrace solar technology. According to one survey, more than 3,500 K-12 schools have put solar arrays on rooftops, in parking …
Opinions vary widely on what the 21st Century School should look like. It all depends on the school’s vision.
Image source: Flickr CC user Cliff
In Washington, D.C., a school district recently took what it felt was the fastest route to get the word out to students that it was now acceptable for them to bring their smartphones to class: the school district tweeted them. The district ended an all-out ban on mobile devices in the classroom in 23 high schools. Why fight against the current of the times? After all, their kids and most kids who attend a 21st Century school surf the Internet on their phones to discover what’s going on. Just as the blackboard went out of fashion, so too should this idea that students should leave potential learning tools in the locker. Or so the district believes.
Charter schools have drawn protests around the country when they co-locate with public schools in the same building, as with this one in Manhattan. Fortunately, charter schools have several options to obtain private facilities in California.
Image source: Flickr CC user Jkrincon
California has more than 1,000 charter schools, the most in the country. As the popularity of these independent, taxpayer-funded schools has grown, so too has the controversy over providing them with classrooms and facilities.
