EVALUATION OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MEASURE SCHOOL BUILDING CONDITION - Vol. 29, No. 3 - Abstract and Introduction

Oct 15, 2026

Manuscript evaluates survey instruments used to measure how school building condition affects student and teacher performance. It argues that, given a presumed influence, researchers must identify the actual physical state of school facilities using existing tools. Instruments are grouped into those developed to assess building condition and maintenance-type tools that measure needed repairs and improvements. The discussion also addresses instrument validation and whether measures align with elements relevant to learning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Background: physical environment and performance

Early studies using building age

Shift to building condition assessments

Building components as assessment items

Instrument types for research and maintenance

Importance of data collection and repairs

Judicial deposition reference

EVALUATION OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MEASURE SCHOOL BUILDING CONDITION GLEN I. EARTHMAN Virginia Tech, U.S.A. ABSTRACT This manuscript contains a discussion of the evaluation of survey instruments used in research studies to assess the influence the school building has upon student and teacher performance. Under the assumption that the school building influences student and teacher performance, it is necessary to determine the actual physical condition of the school buildings. To determine the condition of the school building, a variety of instruments have been developed and used. Roberts (2017) has recognized these instruments as being in two categories. The first category are the instruments developed by researchers specifically to determine the condition of the school building. The second category of instruments are the maintenance type instruments that are mainly used to determine building needs for the upkeep of the building. The second category measures needed repairs and improvements need to keep the building in good condition. This instrument mayor may not contain the measures of those building elements or features that directly relate to student learning. Cash (1993) developed the Commonwealth Assessment of the Physical Environment (CAPE) for one of the early studies on the influence of the school building. She also validated the study by using principals not involved with the study to assess the instrument. To date this has been the only validation of an instrument designed to measure the condition of a school building. A listing of the various instruments that have been used in research studies is contained in the Appendix. INTRODUCTION For almost half of a century, educational researchers have been investigating the possible relationship between the physical environment, as represented by the school buildings and classrooms, and the health, attitudes, and performance of students and teachers. In this period of time, the findings of successive research efforts have demonstrated that there is a positive relationship between the two variables. These findings indicate that if a school building is in satisfactory condition the students will perform academically much better than if they are in a building that is in unsatisfactory condition. Some of the earliest studies were those that used the age of the building as a variable to indicate the influence of the structure has upon student performance (Blincoe, 2008; Chan, 1979; Chan, 1980; Garrett, 1981; McGuffey & Brown, 1978; Phillips, 1997; Plumley, 1978) . These researchers found that students in older buildings performed less well than students in new buildings. The age of a building, however, was not the reason for poor student performance, but rather those building components and features that the older buildings lack, but which new building possess, was the reason for the significant difference in student achievement scores. The building components vital for positive student learning were absent in the older school buildings The next research efforts went beyond using the age of the building as an independent measure and instead used an assessment of the condition of the building as the variable that might influence student achievement. In these studies, the building condition was represented by an assessment of various building components and features that previous research had indicated had Educational Planning | Fall 2022 53 Vol. 29, No. 3 a relationship to the health and performance of the users of the space (Cash, 1993; Crook, 2006; Earthman, Cash, & Van Berkum, 1995; Hines, 1996) . For instance, the thermal environment is an especially important aspect of a good physical environment. This building component has been used in many studies to assess its effect upon the health and performance of the occupants of the space. Therefore, this would be an important item to assess in determining the condition of the building. There are other building c

FAQs

What is the manuscript’s main focus?

It focuses on evaluating survey instruments used in research to assess how the physical condition of school buildings influences student and teacher performance.

How are the instruments categorized in the manuscript?

The manuscript describes two categories: instruments developed to determine school building condition, and maintenance-type instruments used to identify needed repairs and improvements.

Why is instrument evaluation important according to the text?

Accurate instruments are essential to determine the possible influence of building condition and to identify repair needs, supporting improvements that can enhance performance.

Oct 15, 2026

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