Facility Assessments & Ed Specs Information Session
This StoryMap was shared at the July 27, 2021 information session. Scroll down to learn more about the draft 2021 Facility Condition and Educational Suitability Assessments and the draft Educational Specifications and how they tie into the district’s long-range planning.
Welcome
Today's meeting goals
- Become familiar with Facility Condition Assessments and Educational Suitability Assessments
- Understand the Educational Specifications (Ed Specs) vision and draft updates—the district's design standards for schools
- Learn about the districts upcoming long-range planning efforts
Big Picture: Why plan?
Developing long-range plans through thoughtful and intentional collaboration with our school communities will:
- create a shared vision;
- identify historic inequities;
- determine current and future needs;
- establish a path for where we want to go; and
- develop strategies on how to get there.
Long-range Plans
The following long-range plans will include strategies to prepare every student with the knowledge and skills to thrive in college, career, and life:
- Academics and Career and Technical Education
- Athletics
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Facilities
- Safety, Security and Resiliency
- Transportation, Food Services and Maintenance
- Technology
Planning through Equity by Design
Austin ISD is taking a new approach from past long-range planning processes by working collaboratively across the district using a community-driven Equity by Design model. This approach is aimed at meeting the needs of all students and ensuring historically underserved communities are at the forefront of our decision making.
How assessments and Ed Specs fit into the Big Picture
In keeping with our commitment to plan through an Equity by Design process we want to ensure that the FCA and ESA scores are reflective of current facility conditions before we start analyzing disaggregated data (broken down into sub-categories) to develop long-range plans and inform bond planning efforts.
We need to ensure that the Ed Specs continue to support the changing needs of learners and educators in the district before planning projects.
Facility Assessments
Sound decision-making processes start with accurate, up-to-date data. School districts typically conduct facilities assessments prior to long-range and bond planning efforts. The district began the assessment process in October 2020 by reviewing construction documents and maintenance logs, and conducting campus interviews.
Facility Condition Assessment
The FCA evaluates the physical condition of a facility to measure what systems are broken, aging, etc. This includes items such as:
- Roofing
- Heating and air conditioning
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Site drainage
- Parking
These images show a range of conditions at our facilities documented during the FCA process.
Educational Suitability Assessment
The ESA evaluates how well a facility supports teaching and learning using the district's Educational Specifications as the standard. It includes items such as:
- General building
- Security
- Controllability of lighting
- Furniture
- Academic and administrative spaces
- Technology
These images show a range of learning environments at our schools documented during the ESA process.
Educational Specifications
What are Educational Specifications?
Ed Specs are design standards and concepts used by architects, engineers and school communities to guide school facility construction. This includes new buildings, historic renovations, and other modernization projects.
For the purposes of planning, the Ed Specs recommend standard school sizes. The district does not have an ideal school size, however, and the design can be tailored to accommodate school communities of various sizes.
Draft 2021 Ed Specs Update
The draft 2021 Ed Specs update incorporates comments from community members, teachers, students and staff on the Campus Architectural Teams for the 2017 Bond Program ; and the vision of the 2019 FMP for Athletics and Wellness, Visual and Performing Arts, and CTE and Career-connected Learning.
Major concepts introduced in the draft 2021 Educational Specifications include:
- Athletics and wellness
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Empower Center at Secondary Schools
- Career and Technical Education
- Enhanced outdoor learning
- All-learner restrooms
- Community partner suite
- Expanded Professional Learning Centers
Feedback
We want to hear from you!
All feedback will be reviewed by district staff and consultants. Refinements will be made to assessment reports and Ed Specs as needed. Final assessment reports, along with other disaggregated data, will be our starting point to identify underserved groups as a part of the Equity by Design process.
- Please submit your feedback on the FCA, ESA and Ed Specs using the feedback form . All comments must be submitted by September 26, 2021
Next Steps
As part of the Equity by Design process, AISD will need volunteers to work with district staff to develop long-range plans. We will share more details on upcoming volunteer opportunities and community engagement events later this summer.
Questions?
Please contact assessments@perkinswill.com with questions regarding the ESA or FCA reports.
Questions regarding the long-range planning process or the district's Ed Specs may be submitted to Let's Talk or text (512) 856-6123.
