Facilities Lab

Research Laboratory on Educational Facilities

About Us

In 2008, Tarleton State University formed a unique business partnership with Huckabee & Associates architectural firm. This collaborative partnership established the Tarleton Research Laboratory on Educational Facilities (TRLEF). The primary goal of TRLEF is to provide evidence based research to Texas public schools regarding the educational impact of facility design on student learning. TRLEF is committed to providing research that results in improved physical learning environments to enhance student engagement and learning.

TRLEF's Managing Director, Dr. Mark Littleton, is a faculty member of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Huckabee & Associates' Mike King, AIA, serves as TRLEF's Clinical Director. King coordinates field based experiences for TRLEF's research assistant(s).

In 2008, Mrs. Denae Dorris, doctoral student, was named the first Huckabee Fellow. Dorris continues to research the impact of educational facilities on student achievement while coordinating the service activities of the laboratory. In 2009, Mr. Kerry Schindler, Research Fellow, was added to the TRLEF staff to coordinate research activities related to school facilities.

An Advisory Committee composed of Texas Superintendents and School Board Members provides guidance for the laboratory. The Advisory Committee meets annually to formulate research and service initiatives designed to meet the needs of Texas public school administrators.

TRLEF is housed in the E.J. Howell Building on the campus of Tarleton State University and its research operations are generously funded by Huckabee & Associates.

Congratulations to Denae Dorris, TRLEF Huckabee Fellow, for winning 1st place

graduate poster presentation at the 2009 Tarleton Student Research Symposium!

"The mandate mystery: How mandates impact school districts physically and financially."