The author examines the relevance of the monitoring and evaluation literature and practice to the issue of how to understand and to monitor and evaluate nonmaterial or nonproductive objectives of rural development. He discusses an alternative monitoring and evaluation approach that will resolve this issue. (CH)

Despite the variation in fees, the actual services most superintendent search consultants provide are remarkably similar. Price differences reflect the size of a consultant's network and track record. Recommends matching fee ranges with an appropriate category of consultant and basing selection on a 10-step process of consultant services. (CJH)

Benefits and costs of supported and transitional employment services are compared with those of adult day care and traditional sheltered workshops (including work activity centers) for the severely disabled. Evidence indicates that all forms of employment (supported, transitional, and sheltered) are more productive and less costly than adult day…

Discusses recent developments in video technology, especially small format video, that have made possible low cost instructional television production. Highlights include a new production model, orienting the client to the instructional design process, techniques for in-house video productions, editing, and possible uses for this new technology.…

Financing enables school districts to operate new buses when funds for outright purchase are not available. This article examines reasons, sources, and pitfalls of school bus financing. (MLF)

This paper examines the major methodological advantages of random assignment for the purpose of estimating the effectiveness of current manpower policy. It also reviews the claimed methodological and ethical objections to experiments. The authors argue that the offsetting gain from experimentation is the inherent reliability of experimental…

Drawing on Kaufman's distinction between development in the community and development of the community, this paper discusses the constraints on local economic development associated with increased concentration of capital. The likelihood of successfully employing "import substitution" and other localization strategies without confronting issues of…

The city of Kitchener, Ontario, has installed a heat recovery loop in one indoor pool, all indoor swimming pools use pool covers, and two have solar heating. Energy is saved in two ice arenas by low-emissivity ceilings, and in the largest arena by a heat recovery system. (MLF)

Describes the advantages of optical data disk-based storage systems including cost, performance, and space required. Conversion from tape-based to optical disk-based data management via a flexible, hardware-based optical archiving system is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Critiques the Henry Levin and Gail Meister article on cost effectiveness, pointing out that differences in computing the costs of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) yield different results. Also describes problems with other data in the study. Includes two tables. (MD)

A study at CIGNA Corporation's corporate management development and training program attempted to prove that management training makes a real business contribution. Results demonstrated that net savings directly and indirectly due to the training program were substantial. (CH)

Argues that measurement-driven instruction is the most cost-effective way to improve the quality of public education when high stakes tests are properly conceived and implemented. Discusses five criteria, analyzes critics' objections, and cites evidence of student improvement in seven states. Includes one table and three references. (MLH)

Treats state government budget control problems, asserting that traditional administrative controls unduly restrict university flexibility in dealing with a competitive marketplace. After analyzing incentives, evaluating budget controls, and explaining budget officers' resistance to experimentation, this paper proposes a reform program based on…

Alternative educational applications of microcomputer technology in allied health are discussed, including word-processing software for creation and revision of syllabi, exams, and handouts; database management software for creation of large sets of bibliographic references, storage and retrieval of data on students; spreadsheet software; and…

Self-insurance pooling programs are emerging among school districts due to the insurance market crisis. School business managers, therefore, have been attempting to avoid hostile carriers by adopting such programs. (CJH)