The optimum use of the microcomputer can emerge when it competes both in cost effectiveness and actual qualitative performance with all other educational media available. Mainframe computers, available in most school districts, can share data with microcomputers via terminals in schools and classrooms and allow microcomputers to operate most…

The benefits that the microcomputer offers the school district--and the district's public relations office in particular--are significant and should be taken advantage of. Although microcomputers increase the already large amount of information available to administrators, they also enable the user to select and coordinate information efficiently.…

A discussion on the impact of the information explosion on society provides the context for this paper's examination of procedures for designing the first stage of a systematic plan to incorporate computer technologies in elementary and secondary schools. Based on the rationale that a computer literate faculty must be available to make decisions…

Typical contacts with information-processing technology (IPT) do not significantly reshape thought. Although some suggest that IPT will have a narrowing, dehumanizing influence, the diversification of ITP now underway will allow for more styles of involvement. Because of this diversification, thinking may change as it did in response to literacy…

Integrated software is available to help with many of the small- to medium-sized school's management tasks requiring data analysis. Typical integrated programs include spreadsheet, database, graphing, and word processing components and cost less than the price of all the components purchased separately. (PGD)

Discusses developments in computer education at the elementary secondary level in Tasmania, South Australia, and West Australia. Six references are listed. (LLS)

Contends that business education, including keyboarding, accounting, word processing, and business fundamentals, will have a crucial role in preparing productive citizens in the emerging service-related economy. (TE)

To support the position that the use of computers can make educational administration more cost-effective, the minicomputer-based information system in the Ridgeway Public School District in New Jersey is described. A model of the information system is included. (JJD)

Discusses microcomputer uses for administrative computing in education at site level and central office and recommends that administrators start with a word processing program for time management, an electronic spreadsheet for financial accounting, a database management system for inventories, and self-written programs to alleviate paper…

Some school districts are privatizing data-processing operations. In addition to commercial firms, local county or city governments can be contracted to run districts' computer operations. Advantages cited include more computing power for the money, personnel savings, and helping school districts concentrate on educating children. (MLF)

An outline of microcomputer applications for administrative computing in education is followed by discussions of aspects of office automation, database management systems, management information systems, administrative computer systems, and software. Several potential problems relating to administrative computing in education are identified.…

Data collection and analysis are frequently neglected by school leaders over the course of the decision-making process. All schools gather large amounts of information about students and teachers, but most data are used to satisfy administrative requirements rather than evaluate school improvement in a systematic fashion. Apprehension regarding…

Description of evolution of computer applications in U.S. educational administration is followed by an overview of the structure and governance of public education and Visscher's developmental framework. Typical administrative computer applications in education are discussed, including student records, personnel management, budgeting, library…

The improvement and standardization of quality Title I evaluations at the local, state and federal levels is the intent underlying the development and dissemination of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I Evaluation and Reporting System. Even if the current suggested procedures were technically perfect, implementation of any…

In the past decade significant advances have taken place in the development of management information systems (MIS) to support managerial decision making. Recent literature has shown, however, that educators have yet to make full and efficient use of these computer-based systems. A number of authors have discussed factors that may affect…