Author Description

This booklet presents suggestions for teachers, administrators, and parents about how to make a school better by improving the physical environment. Information comes from a study that analyzed environmental features which helped make a difference to students, teachers, and parents. During 1995-1997, two researchers examined classroom environments in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Through observations, interviews, and surveys, they made comparisons between what teachers actually had in their classrooms and what they said was important to have in the classroom learning environment. They compared the information to what parents and students believed. The study looked at five categories for comparison: furniture, aesthetics, comfort, instructional items, and professional items. Over 400 4th-8th grade teachers completed interviews and surveys. There were distinct differences between what was actually in the classrooms and what they ideally should have. More than 125 teachers at the high school level were surveyed. Over 700 4th-8th grade students completed the study and ranked comfort as the most important element in a friendly classroom. Parents also ranked comfort as the most important element. The booklet offers recommendations for improving the educational environment via the five categories and explains how to create an action plan for change. (SM)