The tools and publications listed on this page help the user develop a fully considered, cooperative, evidence based plan for school and community.
Graphs and maps are visual tools that may be used for collaborating and planning.
When school location is coordinated with other community services, costs are reduced while student access to those services improves. Refurbishing or expanding schools in areas with existing infrastructure, student density, and multiple opportunities for shared use, can dramatically decrease taxpayer costs.
A more complete story of why school siting is so vital to healthy finances and a healthy community can be better understood by reviewing the information found through the links below. The following resources showcase barriers to walking and biking (see Why Johnny Can't Walk to School) as well as best practice and innovative solutions (Fielding Nair) for the issues facing schools today.
Graphs and maps are visual tools that may be used for collaborating and planning.
When school location is coordinated with other community services, costs are reduced while student access to those services improves. Refurbishing or expanding schools in areas with existing infrastructure, student density, and multiple opportunities for shared use, can dramatically decrease taxpayer costs.
A more complete story of why school siting is so vital to healthy finances and a healthy community can be better understood by reviewing the information found through the links below. The following resources showcase barriers to walking and biking (see Why Johnny Can't Walk to School) as well as best practice and innovative solutions (Fielding Nair) for the issues facing schools today.
Tools
.Operations Research and Education Laboratory - Solutions - Driven by Research and Supported by Policy - providing data driven planning solutions for school districts itre.ncsu.edu/focus/school-planning/ored/
Integrated Planning for School and Community (IPSAC) incorporates enrollment forecasting, land use studies, residential growth forecasts, optimal school siting, optimally balance attendance areas, and "what-if" attendance scenarios to provide school districts with school planning solutions.
21st Century School Fund
PK-12 Public Educational Facilities Master Plan Evaluation Guide - a planning guide for superintendents, school boards and community members
Arizona Safe Routes To School/DOT Partnership
Active School Neighborhood Checklist - a tool for assessing school sites based on their walkability and bikeability, find your score!
ChangeLab Solutions Model School Siting Policies
Smart School Siting - How school locations can make students healthier and communities stronger
Smart School Siting Tool - Coordinate school and community planning using this tool to align school site decisions with community planning http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-school-siting-tool
Let's Get Digital! 50 Tools for Online Public Engagement
Find a Tool to Engage your Community - a list of 50 tools for online engagement - pick the right tool for your community
Integrated Planning for School and Community (IPSAC) incorporates enrollment forecasting, land use studies, residential growth forecasts, optimal school siting, optimally balance attendance areas, and "what-if" attendance scenarios to provide school districts with school planning solutions.
21st Century School Fund
PK-12 Public Educational Facilities Master Plan Evaluation Guide - a planning guide for superintendents, school boards and community members
Arizona Safe Routes To School/DOT Partnership
Active School Neighborhood Checklist - a tool for assessing school sites based on their walkability and bikeability, find your score!
ChangeLab Solutions Model School Siting Policies
Smart School Siting - How school locations can make students healthier and communities stronger
Smart School Siting Tool - Coordinate school and community planning using this tool to align school site decisions with community planning http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-school-siting-tool
Let's Get Digital! 50 Tools for Online Public Engagement
Find a Tool to Engage your Community - a list of 50 tools for online engagement - pick the right tool for your community
Publications
Billings' History
Why Johnny Can't Walk to School- See Page 28
Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ)
Overview: The EPA's School Siting Guidelines
Children's Travel: Patterns and Influences
Coordinate land use and school planning so substantial numbers walk to school
Georgia Conservancy
Old School, New School, This Place, That Place
Improving the Places Where Students Learn
Educational Facilities Clearinghouse
Planning for Schools and Liveable Communities
The Oregon School Siting Handbook
Preservation Nation
Getting Smart About School Siting
National Center for Safe Routes to School
How Do School Siting Policies Affect Travel Patterns?
Synthesize Learning Research with Best Practice in School Design
Fielding Nair - The Language of School Design
Why Johnny Can't Walk to School- See Page 28
Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ)
Overview: The EPA's School Siting Guidelines
Children's Travel: Patterns and Influences
Coordinate land use and school planning so substantial numbers walk to school
Georgia Conservancy
Old School, New School, This Place, That Place
Improving the Places Where Students Learn
Educational Facilities Clearinghouse
Planning for Schools and Liveable Communities
The Oregon School Siting Handbook
Preservation Nation
Getting Smart About School Siting
National Center for Safe Routes to School
How Do School Siting Policies Affect Travel Patterns?
Synthesize Learning Research with Best Practice in School Design
Fielding Nair - The Language of School Design
Check out these links for more information on schools and community building: