Through computer simulation activities, building designs can be tested and evaluated before construction begins, alternatives developed, and cost-benefit ratios analyzed. Annotations of 15 publications in the ERIC system that involve the use of computers and school planning are contained in this digest. (Author/MLF)

The application of a PERT system to a large-scale project will increase the probability of accomplishing project objectives by providing greater visibility of (1) the project objectives, (2) the relationships among the parts of the projects, and (3) the relationships of those component parts to the project objectives. Consequently, educational…

Path analysis, a technique related to multiple regression analysis is used for ascribing causal relationships among variables. Path analysis involves the construction of explicitly formulated causal models and makes the reasoning explicit in the form of path diagrams and structural equations. Regression analysis is then used to construct path…

A systems approach to college administration and planning is probably the most valuable tool available for coping with the complex problems facing institutions of higher education today. A system is defined as a set of interrelated elements, units, or subsystems that work together toward a common goal. If a college functions as a system, the…

Principals are always looking for effective ways to enhance the learning environment. The Balanced School Day (BSD) schedule, an alternative to the traditional schedule, reframes the school day by eliminating recess and lunch breaks and providing two scheduled nutrition breaks. Advantages and disadvantages to the schedule have been anecdotally…

The Cincinnati Public Schools have been exploring new applications of computers in the areas of program planning, management, and evaluation. For the past 10 years, they have collected and computer-stored information on student, staff, administrative, and socioeconomic variables for each school. Data on a selected set of the variables best…

Both a description and an evaluation of the Correctional Education Project conducted by the Faculty of Education, Queen's University, in cooperation with the Correctional Service of Canada are provided. Components of the program described include the following: (1) the negotiation stage and early months of the contract; (2) functional aspects such…

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is used in the U.S. Marine Corps task analysis program for occupational field studies. Scheduling sequential tasks, estimating time requirements, determining staffing needs, and locating checkpoints for control all can be accomplished using PERT. Examples of operational aspects of PERT, PERT…

This book focuses on and utilizes the methodology and tools of systems analysis and operations research to demonstrate their use in planning for the future and meeting public demands for information on how tax money is being spent by educational administrators. The range of possible and relevant applications is demonstrated by a step-by-step…

THIS MONOGRAPH IS INTENDED TO DISSEMINATE TO THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY THE BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF A RECENTLY DEVELOPED PROJECT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM ENTITLED PROGRAM EVALUATION AND REVIEW TECHNIQUE (PERT). PERT IS A METHODOLOGY FOR PLANNING THE DIVERSE ACTIVITIES IN EITHER LARGE OR SMALL PROJECTS. STEPS OF THE PERT TECHNIQUE…

The implementation of year-round schools requires careful planning and management. An activity plan provides an effective technique for implementation and action by necessitating the outlining of goals and the identification of procedures and activities to achieve those goals. Additionally, it provides techniques for monitoring ongoing plans and…

The procedures and techniques developed to evaluate a project to implement media in elementary schools are discussed. To describe the decision-making setting, two necessary conditions--understanding (high or low) and amount of change (large or small)--were paired against each other resulting in four possible evaluation settings. The situation in…

THIS APPENDIX TO VT 004 417 INCLUDES (1) A TAXONOMY OF EDUCATIONAL CHANGE, WHICH DEFINES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EDUCATIONAL CHANGE PROCESS AND PRESENTS THEM IN CHART FORM, (2) PROGRAM EVALUATION AND REVIEW TECHNIQUE (PERT) GENERAL INFORMATION AND MASTER SCHEDULE REPORTS, WHICH DEFINES TERMS AND EXPLAINS AND ILLUSTRATES A WORK-BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE,…

The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities (CHCFC) has developed the School Readiness Critical Pathways (SRCPs) as an evidence-based conceptual model that links related outcomes and strategies. This helps to organize an array of broad and diffuse evidence regarding the strategies that produce school readiness outcomes for…

The Wilderness Education Association (WEA) helps people enjoy and protect our nation's most precious resource: Our wilderness areas. They have been training and certifying outdoor leaders around the world for nearly 30 years, teaching students safely and effectively to lead groups in the outdoors without harming the environment. In addition,…