Overall, the report projected that enrollment in elementary and secondary schools will briefly stabilize between 2005 and 2010 before a rise that is expected to continue for the remainder of the century . Studies document the link between school building conditions and student learning. A 1996 study by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University found a significant difference in academic achievement between students in substandard classrooms and demographically similar children in a first-class learning environment. Similarly, a 1995 study of North Dakota high schools found a positive correlation between school condition and both student achievement and student behavior. A 1995 study of overcrowded schools in New York City found students in such schools scored significantly lower on both mathematics and reading exams than did similar students in underutilized schools.
Inadequate infrastructure limits access to classroom technology .
Access to technology is a critical part of a quality education. Yet, the average school building in America is 42 years old, designed and built for a pre-technology era. Many schools are not ready to accommodate either basic connections to the Internet or the wider range of exciting educational technologies. Unsafe and inadequate school facilities impact classroom order and discipline. Modern, safe environments encourage learning and discourage disruptive behavior, while overcrowded classrooms make it more difficult to maintain classroom order.