This paper examines the current academic and policy literatures concerning school evaluation in primary and secondary education within the OECD countries. First, it provides a typology of the existing systems of school evaluation across the OECD. It encompasses the diverse criteria and...

Joinedupdesignforschools explores how good design can improve the quality of life in schools by listening to the voices of the clients: pupils. The programme is an initiative in the United Kingdom that joins client teams of pupils with the country’s leading design practices to provide...

This article briefly describes users’ experiences of two “green” education buildings. It goes on to conclude that stakeholders’ negotiation of building performance is necessary to minimise environmental impact, just as it is necessary to achieve other aspects of building performance.

<i>PEB co-hosted a symposium entitled “Invention, Maintenance, and Renewal of Urban Educational Facilities: Global Challenges and Community Solutions” with the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on Architecture for Education and the CEFPI Urban Education Facilities NE Chapter in...</i>

<i>Provisional Guidance on Asset Management Plans</i> (AMPs) for schools was published by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) in August 1998. These plans will help English Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to identify, agree and address the most urgent and important priorities in their...

The new premises of the <i>Lycée Maximilien Perret</i>, an upper secondary and continuing education institution, meets many – but, as experience has shown, not all – of its users’ needs. Why was it necessary to relocate the <i>lycée</i> in the first place? Which aspects of the new buildings...

In 2005, the OECD Programme on Educational Building (PEB) organised two international experts’ group meetings to discuss how countries define and evaluate quality in educational facilities. The research and experiences of six experts are presented in this article, in addition to the lessons...

<i>Technological, economic and social changes are putting growing pressures on teaching methods and programmes and pointing to new trends in tertiary education. Is existing infrastructure flexible enough to meet the changing demands? What new forms of facilities governance and funding are proving...</i>

Post Occupancy Evaluation is described here in terms of its aims, principles, benefits, methods, timing and results. Three examples illustrating the evaluation of educational facilities are given, followed by a summary.

The United Kingdom’s Department for Education and Skills commissioned a major study to examine the relationship between capital investment in schools and subsequent academic attainment. In particular, a key objective of the study was to establish, if possible, the additional effect in terms of...