Rural Trust Links - School Facilities

Concordia Architects
www.concordia.com
This site offers a range of publications about planning and school design as well as information about ongoing work Concordia is doing in community-school facilities projects around the country. Steven Bingler, founder of Concordia, is a highly respected advocate of community participation in the entire process of siting, planning, and designing a school-community facilities and with his team has created The Concordia Model to promote community engagement. Look for "What If" about the vision of "New Schools Better Neighborhoods" that shows why the Smart Growth and School Reform movements in California work together.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools
http://www.ael.org/eric
One of the few sources for materials specific to rural facilities issues.

National Clearinghouse on Educational Facilities
www.edfacilities.org
The NCEF offers full-text of many publications online. Visit their "hot topics" section for information on Planning, Design, Financing, Construction, and Operations and Maintenance.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation
http://www.nationaltrust.org/11most/schools.htm
Older schools tend to be smaller and to anchor their neighborhoods. In 2000, the National Trust placed "Historic Neighborhood Schools" on its annual list of eleven most endangered places and is working to help communities preserve these resources. Visit for information on saving older schools.

Renovation Funding from the U.S. Department of Education
www.ed.gov/inits/construction/qzab.html
Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABS) offer rural areas a possible federal source of funding for school renovation. Learn about this program and how the money may be available in your state.

(More facilities resources can be found by visiting our Facilities Network.)

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