Some schools, districts, and states are tackling the cost of hardware and network products by using E-rate money, which is tied to the number of students eligible for the school-lunch program, requires attention to several forms and deadlines, and makes filtering mandatory. Forming consortia with other districts to allow bulk purchasing is another…

Describes the overcrowding in ALA's current Washington offices and discusses the impending move to new quarters to fulfill ALA's growing responsibilities. Current federal budgetary and political issues of concern to ALA are outlined and a sidebar by Patricia Glass Schuman presents ALA's legislative agenda. (JKP)

Higher education officials are protesting a federal Office of Management and Budget proposal to limit the rate at which universities can charge the government for overhead expenses on research and development. The change would affect 56 of the top 100 institutions receiving federal grants, whose rates go to 41 percent. (MSE)

The Idaho Rural Education Task Force was formed in July 2007 with the goal of proposing and examining solutions to challenges facing rural schools. The task force's work this year has focused on three areas: recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers, funding shortages related to insurance costs and staff allowances, and the technology…

The purpose of the United States Department of Education's (the Department) FY 2013 "Agency Financial Report" (AFR) is to assist Congress, the President, and the American people to assess the Department's stewardship over resources with which it is entrusted. This annual report is required by legislation and complies with the…

State and private agencies have attempted to determine the costs of providing an "adequate" education for public elementary and secondary students. In order to identify adequacy target expenditures, four education finance models currently are found within the education finance research literature: (1) Professional Judgment Model; (2) Statistical…

The 2004-2005 year signaled the arrival of some profound changes to the governing structure of the Association. As part of the ongoing re-focus of the Association, the Board of Directors undertook an examination of the overall governance structure. Presented at the 2004 Annual General Meeting and discussed at the Board level throughout the year,…

Describes development of the National Association of College and University Business Officers' (NACUBO's) methodology for identifying the costs of delivering undergraduate education. The tool was developed to help institutions explain their costs to students, parents, and the general public. (EV)

In the late 1990s, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation made grants to study people's attitudes toward retirement and to determine what factors influenced their decisions to retire. Although faculty were not talking to college administrators or human-resources departments about health care, the researchers found to their surprise that when they…

To maintain good light quality while attempting to reduce energy costs, the University of Illinois (Chicago) investigated a variety of light-related cutbacks. An inexpensive, quickly installed current-limiting device (NO-WATT manufactured by Remtec Systems) on 1000 fixtures resulted in energy savings of $18,000 annually. (DH)

Increasing hydroelectric costs jolted the Tupelo (Mississippi) School District into an energy conservation program. Corrective measures have kept operating cost increases within 10 percent. (Author/MLF)

Suggestions are made for financing and implementing solar energy programs in recreational parks. (JD)

Discusses how entrepreneurs have helped reduce costs in health care and examines the major changes in the health care system that are simultaneously lowering costs and increasing quality. The author then explains how current reform proposals might affect these entrepreneurial innovations. (GLR)

Explains how a school's use of compact fluorescents can reduce operating costs and maintain performance. Indicates that energy cost savings can repay the initial costs of buying incandescent bulbs in as short as 12 months with continuing savings thereafter. Tips for avoiding costly mistakes in lighting retrofits are highlighted. (GR)

This report sets forth the National Endowment for the Humanities' goals and objectives and highlights its related accomplishments for the year just concluded. Also included in the report is information on the Endowment's finances and operations during the year.