Describes key developments in the bibliographic control of microform sets, including the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Microform Project Survey and contributions by bibliographic utilities. The need for libraries, micropublishers, and bibliographic utilities to cooperate in the formation of cataloging standards and practices is…

This study estimated the cost effectiveness of a teacher career ladder reform program. An innovative multiple data source teacher evaluation system was used. Teacher time and dollar costs ranged considerably for different data sources and individual teachers; the annual dollar cost of providing eight data sources was $44.70 per teacher. (JD)

In this interview, George Madaus explains how the misuse of tests corrupts the inferences drawn from them. He calls for cost-benefit evaluations of high stakes tests and challenges educators to seek better accountability methods, test student samples, use multiple indicators, and include teacher judgment in the process. (MLH)

Teacher assessment should be designed to triangulate across domains of teacher knowledge, skills, and beliefs; teachers' classroom behaviors; and student outcomes. Costs and benefits of teacher evaluation must be weighed, and care taken to avoid elimination of minority teachers. (JD)

Cost increases and realization of the diverse needs of employees have prompted organizations to review the cost and value of employee benefits. Examines alternatives including "cafeteria plans," managed care programs, and disability income plans. (MLF)

When purchasing a computer system that will handle both administrative and instructional needs, school executives need to know the ability of the hardware and software to do the job, and the level of vendor support available after the computer has been installed. Lists 14 questions to assess the vendor's commitment and continuing support. (MLF)

Roofing is one of the major expense items in school district maintenance budgets. Outlines steps to take in project planning, developing budget estimates and specifications, and completing a roofing project on time. (MLF)

Instead of studying children's knowing, American educators have applied policies and procedures from factories and assembly lines of the early 1900s. Three factory-oriented themes are paramount: mass production, cost effectiveness, and efficiency. This article suggests a Piagetian alternative to the present mechanistic model. Includes seven…

Trainers at Bell Atlantic converted two courses to an accelerated learning format. As a result, the costs of one course were reduced by 42 percent and the other by 57 percent. The satisfaction of students and trainers greatly improved, as did their job performance. (JOW)

Price (cost) analysis provides the library manager with valuable data for decision making and developing marketing strategies. This article examines program budget, cost-finding methodologies that influence demand, the impact of technology, and budget presentation. (Author/AEF)

Determines the overall strategy for initiating benefit-cost analysis (BCA) in relation to drug abuse prevention programs, followed by definitions of BCA and cost-effectiveness analysis. Determines the most likely population benefit-cost efficiency ratio of 15:1, indicating that there is a $15 savings on every dollar spent on drug abuse education.…

Describes a software tool that deciphers abbreviations by finding whole-word equivalents or "disabbreviations." Presents results of experimental studies that test the tool's disabbreviation of technical text in computer programs. Findings show that the prototype tool is easy to use, finds correct disabbreviations, improves text…

Advocates of the federally subsidized school breakfast program see a strong link between nutrition and learning. However, some opponents believe that the breakfast program is an intrusion into family life and is not cost-effective for a school district. School board members on both sides of the issue discuss the reasons for their stand. (MLF)

Includes two activities: (1) a skit to review variations of the trigonometric functions, and (2) a geometry problem about maximizing costs that exposes students to a variety of different solution strategies and makes the material more meaningful. (MKR)

Teachers appreciate online services with tailored education features--such as Classroom Prodigy, the Scholastic Network on American Online, and dedicated portions of Compuserve and Delphi Internet Services. Online services are speedier and more accessible than Internet, allow interstudent communications, and offer teachers a low-cost menu of…