Developing an Education Suitability Assessment

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Developing an Education Suitability Assessment

• August 20, 2008

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Prioritization Components
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Preliminary Directions

• Education suitability describes how well the
  school facility supports the ability to deliver a
  quality educational program being cognitive of
  the districts delivery of those programs.
• Suitability assessment helps to guide districts
  facility planning process and the nature and
  scope of needed remedies.

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Preliminary Categories

• Site Exterior learning and learning support
  spaces
• Interior learning spaces
• Classrooms
• Interior learning support spaces
• Administration
• Student support services
• Library/media
• Dining, food service
• Maintenance, operations, custodial

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Preliminary Criteria

• Safety, Security, Supervision
• Space Appropriateness
• Size (efficient and effective use of space)
• Environmental Conditions
• Daylighting
• Acoustics
• Technology Media
• Utilities, Fixed Equipment, Surfaces, Storage

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Site Exterior Spaces

• Size Orientation
• Appropriateness of location
• Safety, Security, Supervision
• Access, wayfinding (e.g., signage), concealed
  spaces/obstructed views
• Landscaping, fencing, lighting
• Exterior Active/Passive Student Spaces
• Parking (for staff, visitors, and students)
• Shipping Receiving

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Interior Learning Learning Support Spaces

• Classrooms (Kindergarten, general ed, special ed,
  science, CTE, etc.)
• Administration Student/Teacher Support Spaces
• Administrative space(s) including conference room
• Reception and administrative support space
• Counselor nurse spaces
• Teacher work room lounge
• Library/media center
• Student dining/food service space
• Custodial maintenance spaces
• Hallways, stairwells, common spaces, restrooms

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Proposed Assessment Scale

• 4 Excelling design and structure facilitates
  teaching and learning supports the ability to
  deliver a quality educational program
• 3 Accommodations identified to be addressed
  primarily design issues may require minor
  design or structural changes

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Proposed Assessment Scale

• 2 Modifications identified to be addressed
  detracting from teaching and learning probably
  requires some structural changes
• 1 Significant modifications identified to be
  addressed significant detractions to teaching
  and learning probably requires major structural
  changes
• 0 Fatal flaw

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How to Use the Results

• Is different than the other two components of the
  prioritization index
• Can estimate costs of physical condition
  deficiencies (FCI) and to remedy capacity issues,
  more difficult to do so with suitability
• Suitability can be impacted by physical condition
  and capacity

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How to Use the Results

• SUITABILITY CAN HELP INFORM THE NATURE AND EXTENT
  OF DISTRICT REMEDIES INFORM STRATEGIC PLANNING
  PROCESSES
• Remodel versus Replace decisions
• Consider suitability issues and remedies when
  addressing routine maintenance and FCI
  deficiencies with general fund, major
  maintenance, and other capital funding

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Next Steps

• Complete preliminary space-criterion matrix
• September October Begin field testing in
  schools across the state
• Target different areas of the state, different
  types of schools and school districts
• Casper September 3-5 will be first
• Modifications and improvements
• Calibration and training of teams in 2009
• IBS to prioritization weight in needs index

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Comments, thoughts, insights, volunteer beta sites

• Rich Seder
• r.seder_at_att.net
• 916-838-1810