Outlook 2011
Jan 1, 2011 12:00 AM, By Mike Kennedy (mkennedy@asumag.com)
Under gloomy economic conditions, schools and universities must strive to provide high-quality education with fewer resources.
Many sustainable design elements are used throughout Cortland Elementary School, Cortland, Ill., and their story is told using signage so students understand how the building works, how it will affect the community and how it will save energy. Architect: ATS&R Planners/Architects/Engineers. Photo by Jess Smith/PHOTOSMITH
Many people view the coming of January 1 each year as an opportunity for a new beginning. But the conditions that are facing school and university administrators and educators make it difficult to approach the coming year with optimism.
The effects of the recession that crippled state and local budgets have yet to ease, and schools and universities are anticipating more job and program cuts as their funding is reduced. Federal stimulus money no longer will be available to soften the pain of the economic downturn.
But despite the spending cuts that seem to be inevitable for many education institutions, millions of students will continue to gather at bus stops and walk through school doors with the expectation that they will be entering a safe, well-maintained environment where well-qualified teachers provide valuable learning opportunities.
And older students will continue to make their way to college and university campuses with the expectation that they will have access to an affordable, high-quality post-secondary education on a secure and welcoming campus.
Meeting those expectations will be more difficult as education institutions have to lay off instructors, aides, custodians and other personnel; raise class sizes; eliminate programs no longer seen as affordable; delay or cancel needed facility expansions and equipment upgrades; and defer the upkeep that enables facilities and equipment to last longer and continue to perform effectively.
With these challenges in mind, following are some of the key issues poised to impact schools and universities in 2011 and beyond:
Outlook 2011 analysis
- Budget/funding
- Class size
- Bond issues
- Community colleges
- Security
- Bullying
- Construction
- Sustainability
- Energy management
- Maintenance and Operations
- Technology
- Enrollment
- New Leaders
- Reauthorizing ESEA
Kennedy, staff writer, can be reached at mkennedy@asumag.com.
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