Skilled Trades ESP—
Building a Quality Workforce

The Condition of the School
& Enhanced Student Achievement

Some people claim that the physical condition of an educational environment has no bearing on student learning or success. They refer to highly successful individuals—Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Thomas Edison, Mother Teresa, for example—who managed to flourish regardless of circumstances. However, these accomplishments are the exception, not the rule. For students who are not as unique or gifted, there is a clear connection between environment and learning.

Enhancing student achievement and success is the job of every school district employee. This mission requires an appreciation of the value of a well maintained school building, ongoing upgrading of safety for students and staff, and improved delivery of educational programs. Dilapidated and antiquated buildings, play-grounds and sports fields and inadequate equipment and supplies for students testify to the sorry fact that some of our nation’s children are not treated equitably when it comes to educational facilities.

Skilled Trades ESP are all too familiar with differences between wealthy and less affluent school districts and their approaches to maintenance and repair. It has long been the case that wealthier school districts do more maintenance and repairs—even new construction. Of course, most budgets are determined by local school districts, but funding differences are set in stone by state governments and federal programs that fail to meet the construction needs of many school districts. Skilled Trades ESP witness on a daily basis the shortsighted and shortchanging policies of their school administrations. Work orders are often incomplete, materials are often low quality, and new, innovative materials and supplies often don’t get used because of cost rather than performance or safety.

The direct correlation between environment and learning for students is well documented, and can be seen in test scores and individual student success rates. Many an affluent suburban school district with solidly built, beautifully appointed and well maintained schools outpaces its dilapidated, poorly appointed urban school district counterpart in all aspects of student success measurement.

Skilled Trades ESP are acutely aware of the valuable connection between what they do on a daily basis in their school districts and the success of each and every student in their school. Their jobs building, repairing, and maintaining the physical condition of the school building and school campus are of paramount importance to the school district mission of enhancing student achievement and producing capable and successful citizens.

To Section 5. Current Issues/Current Technology