The costs for housing inmates were extrapolated from a survey of inmates and recidivists and from 1990 Alabama census data on family size and income and welfare recipients. Incarceration appeared to have hidden costs, and correctional education seemed the best known solution for reducing recidivism and decreasing the size of the prison population.…

Questions the facilitative effects of Reading Recovery reported in an earlier article. Argues that differences between Reading Recovery and other treatments in level of teacher training and experience, and in actual time and use of time for instruction, may account for the differential effects of Reading Recovery over other treatments. Challenges…

Responds to an earlier article in this issue about the effectiveness of Reading Recovery. Suggests that achieving an instructional match between compared programs is nonsense. Argues that researchers need to address bigger questions in order to further understand complex, changing educational environments. (RS)

Responds to a response to an article in this issue concerning the effectiveness of Reading Recovery. Remains steadfast in assertion that alternative explanations exist for the findings reported in the original article. (RS)

Discusses a normative strategy toward pricing human services, which will allow providers to develop pricing strategies within the context of organizational missions, goals, and values. Pricing is an effective tool for distributing resources and improving efficiency, and can be used as a tool for encouraging desired patterns of service utilization.…

Responses from 367 small businesses were used to formulate a four-step process audit: (1) business owner questionnaire; (2) interviews with owners and key personnel; (3) intensive observation; and (4) presentation of a detailed report. The process identifies areas of effectiveness/success and areas needing immediate or long-term action. (SK)

Discusses why new systems and processes are needed in the development of multimedia training products. Highlights include: benefits of object-oriented design; the new system of development based on models, databases, and tools; a comparison of the craft process and the new process of development; and the transition to better quality, faster, more…

Presents a wish list for the Clinton administration. Wishes concern compensation for child care workers; discontinuance of the nation's tendency to compete with other countries in the educational arena; rejection of cost effectiveness as a criterion for justifying educational programs; bilingual education; and guaranteed justice for all children.…

Northern Kentucky University uses Ole, online learning educational system, which provides an interactive learning environment. Pilot participants received better grades and evaluated instructors more favorably than controls. An average of 30 percent savings per student over five years is expected. (SK)

Reviews and analyzes the literature on the relationship of library and information services to the productivity of the organization they support. Studies are included that examine the value of information services, the overall effect of information on industrial productivity, characteristics of productive organizations, and characteristics of…

Reports on the University of Pennsylvania Library's reexamination of interlibrary loan activities. Major initiatives included developing new resource sharing partnerships, increasing the use of electronic document delivery systems, and reducing processing time through journal linking projects. Automated data management, heavier reliance on e-mail,…

Systematic billing of handicapped students' health insurance policies to supplement special education revenues is routine practice in several states. Article identifies key issues for school districts and state education agencies contemplating third party billing plans through examining a case study of one such plan. Insurance billing violates…

Describes a practical application of hypertext that uses the "Guide" hypertext system developed at the University of Kent at Canterbury to supply customer support in diagnosing computing equipment problems. The underlying hypertext technology is explained, system monitoring is discussed, cost effectiveness is examined, and authorship is…

School districts can stretch their budgets for printed materials further by the following: (1) phasing in new textbook series; (2) substituting teacher-made activities for workbooks; and (3) purchasing classroom sets rather than separate workbooks for each student. (MLF)

The benefits and costs of the impact of textbooks on teaching English-as-a-Second-Language courses are discussed. This paper examines the role of commercial textbooks in instruction, reasons for their present status, and the consequences of that status. (10 references) (Author/LB)