Publications
Publications which will assist school districts in the planning and development of school facilities.Free Publications from the School Facilities and Transportation Services Division
Schools of the Future Report (PDF)
This report focuses on two key policy areas: state school facility program reform and the design of high performance, green schools and provides policy recommendations.
Re-Visioning School Facility Planning and Design for the 21st Century, Creating Optimal Learning Environments (PDF)
The California Department of Education convened a roundtable on October 15-16, 2008 to identify best practices that will strengthen the relationship between schools and communities in an effort to close the achievement gap between segments of our students. This report is a summary and analysis of the roundtable proceedings and will serve as a guiding document for the California Department of Education's ongoing work in improving school facility design policy in California.
California Department of Education Report on Complete Schools
Report by the California Department of Education, State Allocation Board Meeting, May 23, 2007.
Healthy Children Ready to Learn: Facilities Best Practices (PDF)
This publication brings together practical and successful ideas and solutions that schools throughout the state are implementing to support the goal of healthy children. Healthy Children Ready to Learn: Facilities Best Practices is a shining example of the collective effort required in the battle against childhood obesity, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise in our society.
Design-Build Projects Guidelines,
2002 (PDF)
This guideline provides
information to school districts about the design-build process
authorized under Assembly Bill (AB) 1402 and ways to comply with
the law. AB 1402 authorized school districts in California to
use design-build as a delivery method for projects with design
and construction costs exceeding $10 million.
Guide to School Site Analysis
and Development (PDF)
Accessible version of Guide to School Site Analysis and Development
This document updates
site size standards to reflect changes in education, such as class
size reduction, implementation of Title IX gender equity, technology,
and parental and community involvement. This 2000 edition replaces
the 1966/1987 edition. The 1966/1987 edition is retained only
to comply with Government Code Section 65995.5(h), which requires
the 1966/1987 edition to be used in the calculation of developer
fees.
School Site Selection and Approval
Guide, 2000
This document assists
school districts in selecting sites that provide a safe and supportive
environment for the instructional program and the learning process.
It outlines the selection criteria for gaining California Department
of Education approval, a condition for receiving state funds.
Educational Specifications: Linking Design of School Facilities to Educational Program (PDF)
Accessible version of Educational Specifications: Linking Design of School Facilities to Educational Program
This document is designed to help school districts develop specifications based on a fundamental principle of modern architecture; that is, form follows function. The document includes a definition of specifications, suggested procedures, and a model format.
Indoor Air Quality, A Guide
for Educators, 1995
A brief description
of school facility concerns about indoor air quality. It is a
simplified discussion of problems that can affect the health of
both staff and students and includes a list of management procedures
that can be used to help mitigate problems of unclean air.
School Site Analysis and Development, 1966/1987
This document is to
be used only to determine developer fees pursuant to Government
Code Section 65995.5(h). See statement above under School
Site Analysis and Development Guide, 2000.
The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans
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.
Publications from Other Sources
California's K-12 Educational Infrastructure Investments: Leveraging the State's Role for Quality School Facilities in Sustainable Communities
(PDF)
A policy research report, prepared by the University of California, Berkeley, Center for Cities & Schools, that provides an analysis of K-12 infrastructure policies, regulations, and funding patterns in California.
Findings reveal the need to refine school facilities planning and funding policies and practices to promote sound, efficient, and goal-oriented decision making at state and local levels. The recommendations re-envision the state's role in K-12 infrastructure as one of appropriately supporting educational outcomes and contributing to more sustainable communities through a framework of public infrastructure best practices for sound planning, effective management, adequate and equitable funding, and appropriate oversight. The recommendations lay out a vision, policy framework, and implementation plan to equitably and efficiently improve learning environments for California's six million students.
Architecture for Education: New School Designs from the Chicago Competition
Looking to develop innovative school designs, Chicago Public Schools joined forces with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, and Leadership for Quality Education to host the Chicago Public Schools Design Competition.
Centered on design for universal access
and the small schools educational philosophy, the competition
process generated extensive learning on educational and design
innovation. The book, Architecture for Education: New School Designs
from the Chicago Competition
(PDF), shares the best of the designs,
explains the research and policies behind the competition's design
criteria, documents the architectural history of Chicago's schools,
and describes practical strategies for engaging local communities
in the school design process.
Non-structural Earthquake Hazards in California Schools
(PDF)
This publication identifies potential earthquake hazards associated with non-structural components of school buildings, and provides recommendations for mitigating those hazards. Non-structural components include furnishings and equipment, electrical and mechanical fixtures, and architectural features such as suspended ceilings, partitions, cabinets and shelves. In general, non-structural components and building contents become hazards when they slide, break, fall, or tip over during an earthquake. Securing the non-structural components and building contents improves safety and security of the school facility during an earthquake emergency by:
- Reducing the potential for fatalities and injuries.
- Helping to maintain safe and clear exit ways for evacuation and to access the building.
- Reducing the potential for chemical spills, fires, and gas leaks.
- Improving the probability of using the school facility as a shelter following an earthquake.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Smart School Siting Tool
to help communities make school siting decisions in a more
coordinated and comprehensive way.
Communities can use the tool to align school site selection with planning policies and capital investments, understand how well school siting and other community planning processes are coordinated, and compare school siting alternatives. The tool includes a user guide, which provides background on the links between school siting and community impacts and describes how to use the tool, and two Excel workbooks that users can download and fill out.
School Siting Guidelines
(PDF) that encourage, inform, and improve
consideration of environmental factors in local school siting decision-making processes without infringing on local decision-making authority. These guidelines can help local school districts, local educational agencies, and community members evaluate environmental factors to make the best possible school siting decisions.
Sensible Guide to Healthier School Renovations (PDF)
that will help schools around the country keep school
environments healthy while cleaning up contaminants such as asbestos, mold, mercury, lead, and radon that are associated with renovations. This booklet provides school administrators, facility managers, staff, and the school community with an overview of how to avoid key
environmental health hazards and ways to minimize children's exposures as they prepare for and undergo renovations.