Public school buildings are often too big or too small for the number of students enrolled, a survey of principals concludes.
According to the poll—administered by the National Center for Education Statistics to 1,025 principals of public elementary and secondary or combined schools nationwide—more than half the principals reported their buildings are too big for the number of students they serve; 10 percent reported having student enrollments that were 6 percent to 25 percent above the capacity of their buildings; and 8 percent said their schools were overenrolled by more than 25 percent.
The principals who reported having overcrowded schools said they used portable classrooms, converted nonclassroom space to classrooms, increased class sizes, or built new facilities as ways to deal with the problem.
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“Public School Principals Report on Their School Facilities: Fall 2005" is available from the National Center for Education Statistics.
