When implementing large-scale educational computing initiatives (e.g., One Laptop Per Child) it is vital to allocate resources for training, support, and device deployment judiciously. One question that arises is how learners' engagement with online educational resources is affected by receiving a new computer; do the benefits justify the costs?…

A common problem addressed in Managerial and Cost Accounting classes is that of selecting an optimal production mix given scarce resources. That is, if a firm produces a number of different products, and is faced with scarce resources (e.g., limitations on labor, materials, or machine time), what combination of products yields the greatest profit…

Sectoral levelling funds are an arrangement aimed at alleviating a well-known theoretical problem of underinvestment in worker training because of free-rider behaviour of firms. In the Netherlands, collective agreements require firms to participate in such funds in a number of sectors. Using a comprehensive dataset of Dutch firms, we attempt to…

"Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators" is the authoritative source for accurate information on the state of education around the world. It provides data on the output of educational institutions; the impact of learning across countries; the financial and human resources invested in education; access, participation and progression in…

The needs assessment process must begin first with the determination of "what should be." The next process in needs assessment is the determination of "what is." The gaps or discrepancies between "what is" and "what should be" are the needs of the school or district. The results of this needs assessment must then be viewed in terms of the resource…

This case problem is designed for use by planning, budgeting, or administrative personnel in state or regional vocational educational organizations. The problem involves planning, programming, and budgeting which is best accomplished in small group settings. Each small group should ideally consist of persons with a variety of duties and…

Cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-benefit analysis are two related yet distinct methods to help decision makers choose the best course of action from among competing alternatives. For both types of analysis, costs are computed similarly. Costs may be reduced to present value amounts for multi-year programs, and parameters may be altered to show…

A mathematical model, using the vector maximization technique, is developed to study the underlying structure of a set of cost/benefit alternatives. (Author)

Scenarios depicting both positive and negative alternative futures were prepared to serve as a source of ideas in this study of ways to improve education with less money. Included in this third volume are (1) a disaster scenario based on piecemeal, reactive solutions; (2) a scenario based on applications of "big media"; (3) a scenario…

Scenarios depicting both positive and negative alternative futures were prepared to serve as a source of ideas in this study of ways to achieve better schools for less money. Included are (1) a disaster scenario based on piecemeal, reactive solutions; (2) a scenario based on applications of "big media"; (3) a scenario based on individualized…

These proceedings include four articles intended to familiarize librarians with many facets of operations research and how they might be applied to their institutions. The first paper provides a brief definition of operations research. The second presentation, by Ralph Shoffner, relates, in the form of concrete examples, the questions one asks…

A nationwide longitudinal study was undertaken by the Higher Education Research Institute in Los Angeles to study the impact of Exxon Education Foundation's Resource Allocation Management Program on the 49 institutions receiving grants under the program. The focus was the behavioral consequences of management changes for administrators, staff, and…

In the face of fiscal crisis, today's education reform measures must be both cost-efficient and classroom effective. Experience shows that successful measures incorporate lessons gained from the growth years of the 1970's. New teaching practices, for example, can be transferred from site to site; schools can use to their advantage past efforts of…