Seat time requirements for graduation will not provide Americans with a strong educational system. Across the country, where quantitative requirements are being raised, student achievement scores are going up. The educator's challenge is to prepare new curriculum which is responsive to these multiple learning intelligences. This is a significant challenge, and it will take years to train teachers in interdisciplinary instruction, project-based learning, teamwork and portfolio assessment. The good news is that architects are helping meet the challenge through designs that accommodate and facilitate these new educational ideas.
Facilities are also flexible and adaptable for future changes.
In effect, the new school designs will lead educational reform. Students are organized into smaller-sized units called houses, academies or clusters. These units can be grouped to create neighborhoods. Overall learning communities are built from the neighborhoods and central community commons. Plans allow community and business use of areas such as meeting rooms, libraries, computer rooms, music and performing arts spaces, and fitness rooms such as aerobics, weight lifting and gyms.