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Best Practices and Resources

Best practices fact sheets, topics, and resources that support the school facilities planning, design, and implementation process.
Vision for California Public Schools

The California Department of Education envisions school facilities that enhance the achievement of all students and are learner-centered, safe, sustainable, and centers of the community.

The following fact sheets and topics provide school board members, teachers, parents, and other interested parties a quick overview of school facility best practices. Detailed resources are available for those wanting further information. This web page will be updated regularly with additional topics, fact sheets, and resources as they are published.

Healthy School Facilities Guidance
Outdoor Learning Environments Guidance
Chronic Absenteeism and School Facilities: Research and Best Practices for Improving Student Attendance
Essentials in School Facilities Safety: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Essentials in School Facilities Planning: Facilities Master Plans
Essentials in School Facilities Planning: Educational Specifications
STEM Learning Environments: Ernest McBride High School
STEM Learning Environments: Galt High School Biomedical, Engineering, Science, and Technology Academy
Sustainable Communities and School Planning
Flexible Learning Environments
School Facilities and Technology Integration
Guiding Principles

The guiding principles (PDF) are meant to be applied comprehensively throughout the school facilities planning, design, and implementation process. The order of presentation does not reflect any prioritization.

School Facilities Research Topic Sheets

School Facilities Reference Library

Questions:   Molly Stitt | mstitt@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-6249
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 01, 2026
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  • The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (updated 10-Nov-2026)
    The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (LRFMP) was revised in 2026, with updated guidance on master planning for local educational agencies and Proposition 2 requirements for school districts applying for School Facility Program Funding.
  • Key Components of a Facilities Master Plan (added 10-Nov-2026)
    The elements of a typical facilities master plan (FMP) and guidance on what to include, how to organize the information, and why it matters, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Conclusion (added 10-Nov-2026)
    A summary on master plans as living documents that reflect thoughtful educational goals and future planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Education Programs with Specialized Facility Needs (added 10-Nov-2026)
    The importance of including specialized facilities in facilities master plans to meet the needs of educational programs and students with disabilities, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Additional Considerations and Planning the Future (added 10-Nov-2026)
    Integrating sustainability, safety, accessibility, and climate resiliency into every stage of facilities master planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.

  • Appendix A (added 10-Nov-2026)
    A table of Facilities Master Plan Elements vs. Proposition 2 Requirements, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Appendix B (added 10-Nov-2026)
    A summary of additional required elements per Proposition 2, from the Guide to Long- Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Facilities Master Planning Resources (added 10-Nov-2026)
    Additional resources, facilities master plan (FMP) exemplars, and links to the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) Guidelines for the Five-Year School Facilities Master Plan, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Introduction (added 10-Nov-2026)
    An introduction of the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
  • Facilities Master Planning Process (added 10-Nov-2026)
    Best practices for launching a facilities master planning (FMP) effort, engaging stakeholders, and long-term planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.