An organizational model for higher education institutions that follows the corporate model is proposed. It strives to eliminate overlapping responsibilities among vice presidents, minimize organizational conflict, and empower the deans and academic program directors to make decisions. The system is intended to refocus the institution on its…

Investigates the performance of a regulated, equalized school system by analyzing the relationship between resource use and student achievement in 34 Norwegian high schools. Distinguishing between quantity and quality, uses data envelopment analysis to establish a reference frontier representing best practices and measure technical efficiencies.…

A collection of 17 biology texts and computer software produced at Beloit College (Wisconsin) by an interdisciplinary group let students conduct simulated scientific experiments that would be impossible in a laboratory and complete complex statistical analyses quickly. The programs focus on three stages of scientific research: problem posing,…

Five college and university fund-raising professionals discuss ways in which uncoordinated solicitations of gifts from the same prospective donor(s) by different schools or departments can be avoided by planning, coordination, and communication. Advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized administrative approaches are considered.…

Discusses different points of view about the impact of media on learning, motivation, and efficiency gains from instruction. The author's arguments about research and theory of media effects are summarized; reactions to the claim that media do not influence learning are characterized; and responses are given to Robert Kozma's specific criticisms…

Assesses two apparently contradictory factors that may affect the acquisition of grammatical concord in a second language: (1) efficient deletion of redundant elements; and (2) facilitation or priming through repeated marking of grammatical information. The results of a study of written compositions by French and Japanese learners of English…

The Carnegie report's opposition to tracking and advocacy of teacher empowerment are the only features distinguishing "Turning Points" from earlier efficiency-driven educational change proposals. This essay examines historical antecedents for policy recommendations concerning curriculum integration and school-based health services,…

This article provides descriptions of various aspects of the three comprehensive energy bills pending before the U.S. Congress. All three bills assign nuclear energy a prominent role through support of the electric utility industry's stated goal of ordering a new nuclear energy plant by the mid-1990s. (JJK)

Changes in internal management of higher education institutions resulting from decentralization of Finland's higher education system are discussed. A project for improving managerial efficiency in one university is described, and its effect on patterns of leadership and communication in planning and resource allocation are assessed. (Author/MSE)

This speech (1) outlines the educational mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; (2) points out the growing recognition by member governments that support for preschool and early intervention programs is a worthwhile investment; and (3) maintains that governments alone should not attempt to mastermind the policies…

A National Association of College and University Business Officers project collects data on college administrative and business costs and compiles them for comparative purposes. The unpublished findings are available to participants to gauge institutional efficiency. However, some feel more institutions must participate for data to be useful. (MSE)

A strengthened student aid partnership between the federal and state governments and colleges needs to use existing funds more efficiently, regulate how students receive aid more effectively, and delineate the rights and responsibilities of each of the major partners more adequately. Better cooperation would benefit taxpayers, institutions, and…

It is argued that the problems facing Chinese higher education are caused by underfunding, high inflation, and low internal efficiency. Possible strategies for addressing the problems are discussed, including improving internal efficiency, developing systems of cost sharing and cost recovery, income generation by individual universities, and…

New challenges for human resource development are the need for efficient, effective, lifelong learning; the use of training technology; changes in jobs and the composition of the labor force; and changes in management practices. Training is likely to become more a screening device than a development tool. (SK)

Argues that inefficiency resulting from government regulation is the natural result of a process that does not have efficiency as its primary goal. Presents three examples of government regulation as supporting evidence. Concludes that efficiency is more likely to come from elected policymakers than from bureaucrats working in regulatory agencies.…