A growing body of research indicates that poor building condition and design is a liability to the safety, health and performance of students and teachers. While No Child Left Behind increases teacher and administrator accountability, the law does nothing to relieve staff from working in schools desperately in need of repair. Adequate school facilities are needed to support high standards for teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

New educational programs have evolved in response to demands for higher standards for student performance. These changes include a major expansion of early childhood and special education; increases in “hands-on” and laboratory learning; integration of technology in the classroom; and the addition of an array of school-based health and social services, and extended day programs. But the building modifications to support these programs are rarely where schools need them most.