The American Institute of Architects (AIA) applauds U.S. Senators David Perdue, R-GA, Shelley Capito, R-WV, Doug Jones, D-AL, and Thomas Tillis, R-NC, for introducing The School Safety Clearinghouse Act yesterday. The legislation would provide state and local officials with unbiased information for making their schools safer through design.
“More than 20 years after the attack at Columbine High School, our schools deserve to be safer. As architects, we know how to help,” said AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA. “Design serves as a critical element in making our airports, stadiums and office buildings safer following September 11. Senators Purdue and Jones should be commended for introducing new legislation that will give education officials the vetted information they are desperately seeking to create safe and secure schools for America’s children and teachers.”
Under the proposed legislation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would manage a federally funded and housed informational resource on school safety. Local and state officials could access it and be provided with the tools and information they need to design safer schools. Recommendations from architects, engineers, first responders, building security experts and mental health advocates would be included in the clearinghouse after being federally validated.
“Every student deserves access to a safe learning environment and a quality education,” said Senator Perdue. “The School Safety Clearinghouse Act would simply create a resource where state and local officials can find best practices for school security and design. Ultimately, it will allow parents, teachers, and administrators to make informed decisions about the best ways to keep their schools and communities safe. I personally want to thank the American Institute of Architects for lending their expertise about safe school design and partnering with us on this bill.”
AIA is committed to working with Democrats and Republicans, as well as DHS, to ensure the full creation of the clearinghouse. Last August, the Institute and its members launched a school safety campaign initiative advocating for the government to address school violence through a design-centered approach and to establish a federal clearinghouse of design resources. As part of its efforts, several of AIA’s architect members—specializing in school design—testified before the Federal Commission on School Safety and DHS to advocate for legislation and design strategies that would support safer schools. Many of those recommendations—including the federal clearinghouse—were supported in the commission’s report released last December.
In addition to the clearinghouse, the AIA is continuing its efforts to make architectural and design services available to schools through federal grants. As part of this, the AIA is encouraging the U.S. Senate to support language in HR 3055, which increases the amount of money in the STOP School Violence grant program by $25 million, for a total of $125 million. The legislation also clarifies that STOP grants can fund requests from school districts for architectural and design services.
Learn more about the AIA's advocacy efforts online.
Related Stories
Hotel Facilities | Jul 28, 2022
As travel returns, U.S. hotel construction pipeline growth follows
According to the recently released United States Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), the total U.S. construction pipeline stands at 5,220 projects/621,268 rooms at the close of 2022’s second quarter, up 9% Year-Over-Year (YOY) by projects and 4% YOY by rooms.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2022
Hurricane-resistant construction may be greatly undervalued
New research led by an MIT graduate student at the school’s Concrete Sustainability Hub suggests that the value of buildings constructed to resist wind damage in hurricanes may be significantly underestimated.
Market Data | Jul 21, 2022
Architecture Billings Index continues to stabilize but remains healthy
Architecture firms reported increasing demand for design services in June, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Market Data | Jul 21, 2022
Despite deteriorating economic conditions, nonresidential construction spending projected to increase through 2023
Construction spending on buildings is projected to increase just over nine percent this year and another six percent in 2023, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Building Team | Jul 18, 2022
Understanding the growing design-build market
FMI’s new analysis of the design-build market forecast for the next fives years shows that this delivery method will continue to grow, despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Market Data | Jul 1, 2022
Nonresidential construction spending slightly dips in May, says ABC
National nonresidential construction spending was down by 0.6% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Market Data | Jun 30, 2022
Yardi Matrix releases new national rent growth forecast
Rents in most American cities continue to rise slightly each month, but are not duplicating the rapid escalation rates exhibited in 2021.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2022
Architecture Billings Index slows but remains strong
Architecture firms reported increasing demand for design services in May, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Building Team | Jun 17, 2022
Data analytics in design and construction: from confusion to clarity and the data-driven future
Data helps virtual design and construction (VDC) teams predict project risks and navigate change, which is especially vital in today’s fluctuating construction environment.
Market Data | Jun 15, 2022
ABC’s construction backlog rises in May; contractor confidence falters
Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to nine months in May from 8.8 months in April, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 17 to June 3. The reading is up one month from May 2021.
