Middle managers will be under the greatest strain as colleges and universities continue to adopt more efficient administrative practices and cut costs. They will meet the challenge by watching their time carefully and by maintaining professional development. (Author/LBH)

Performance assessment involves comparing the level and quality of an institution's outcomes with its objectives and examining input-output (cost-benefit) relationships. (Author/IRT)

Directors of small public relations shops were queried on how they have cut out unproductve work. Some time-wasters include: long committee meetings, telephones, outside services, things that require big effort for little reward, interruptions, junk mail, typewriters, etc. (MLW)

The chairperson of the Study Group on the Condition of Excellence in American Higher Education summarizes the group's report, "Involvement in Learning", and its recommendations concerning the need for: demonstrable improvements in student knowledge, skills, capacities, and attitudes; clearly and publicly expressed academic standards; and…

Describes a survey that evaluated time management practices among directors of large academic libraries. Factors such as the ability to delegate authority, leadership style, and the most common time wasters are discussed, and topics are suggested for further research. (19 references) (Author/CLB)

Illustrating major points with specific examples (including a "Doonesbury cartoon), the main article faults schools' organizational efficiency and educators' ignorance of child development for forcing young children to work beyond their developmental readiness. An inset article presents the 19th century kindergarten as a haven for children to grow…

Because diesel engines are more economical and longer-lasting than gasoline engines, school districts are rapidly increasing their use of diesel buses. Dependence on diesel power, however, entails vulnerability to cost increases due to the unreliability of crude oil supplies and contributes to air pollution. (MCG)

Develops a model for estimating the comparative costs of a middle school structure and an intermediate school structure. Considers the extensive cost data collected in the Montgomery County (Maryland) school system. (JW)

By focusing school schedules on teacher-directed instruction in reading and mathematics and developing a parallel-block master schedule, more efficient use can be made of classroom time without large expenditures of money or time for staff development. (DCS)

Analyzes four instructional methods used to teach biology to disadvantaged high school students in terms of learning efficiency (net gain mean/total time mean). Concludes that individualized methods are more efficient than group methods. (MLH)

Strong instructions induced more interaction, resulting in better recall under intentional than under incidental instructions. Intentional instructions had greater impact on less efficient tasks and less effect on more efficient tasks. Maximum recall and efficiency occurred with simple instructions to read the passage. (Author/MV)

Applies output budgeting techniques to the "production" of graduates at a British University. The cost per student graduated in 18 different disciplines is first divided among (1) capital and maintenance costs, (2) teaching costs, and (3) administrative and general expenditures. The potential cost savings from more efficient utilization…

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a mathematical model for measuring decision-making units' efficiency, was applied to resource allocation information in the division of occupational and technical programs at San Antonio (Texas) College. Input-output data were used to analyze existing programs' efficiency and proposed program modifications. (RW)

After an analysis of the dimensions that they believe indicate quality, the authors suggest actions that principals can take to pursue excellence in their schools. (JW)

Small colleges can make a virtue of the need to use administrative staff flexibly and to train young staff. Senior administrators must assume a variety of tasks, and young administrators can develop their skills while covering key functions. (MSE)