One of the most rapidly growing innovations in education in the United States is the adoption of year-round calendars. The largest year-round operation during the 1970's and a model for many districts was run by the Jefferson County, Colorado, School District. After 14 years of year-round schooling, the district returned to a modified 9-month…

This study examined the benefits and costs of supported employment programs in Illinois during the first 2 years of operation. Benefits and costs were considered for 394 individuals enrolled in 1987 and 519 individuals enrolled in 1988, from three revenue perspectives: that of society as a whole; that of the supported employees; and that of the…

A study was conducted to determine: (1) whether federal savings could be expected by replacing Stafford student loans with direct loans under a direct loan program proposed by the National Association of State universities and Land Grant Colleges; and (2) what consequent administrative responsibilities would accrue to educational institution and…

This report first analyzes the need for a Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Clearinghouse, which would provide a range of services including question answering for state and local education agencies, workshop preparation assistance, and literature surveys. Addressing the question of feasibility of a computerized information retrieval system for…

The purpose of this activity is to make students aware that there is no free energy source for the present or the future and that all technologies are potential threats to the environment. The activity consists of a short reading (discussing basic trade-offs, issues, and decisions related to petroleum, coal, and nuclear energy sources) and student…

A project was conducted from 1980 to 1982 to determine the costs and benefits of OCLC use in 29 small and medium-sized member libraries of the Illinois Valley Library System (IVLS). Academic, school, public, and special libraries participated by recording the time and staffing levels used for and the cost of OCLC and pre-OCLC cataloging (by…

A five-phase study was conducted to evaluate all major computer systems used in writing IEPs (individualized education programs) in California. A "manual" sample composed of four Special Education Local Planning Agencies (SELPAs) that did not use computers was surveyed and responses compared with SELPAs that did use computers. An analysis of…

Production functions, established for the Arts and Law Faculties of Coimbra and Lisbon Universities and the Higher Institute of Engineering of Lisbon, related the number of students to expenditures on academic staff and materials. Results are discussed and pros and cons of using production functions for educational management purposes are…

The author contends that college and university administrators often become bogged down in the "techniques and tools" of planning systems, thereby losing sight of the real problems and goals. He defines the errors that inhibit good planning and suggests a planning model called the "Louis and Clarke tour" based on envisioning a goal and moving…

A study measured costs and benefits of awarding studentships (scholarships) to teacher trainees who in return "bond" themselves to undertake a period of teaching. Compared with other alternatives, the studentship scheme is found to be "a very expensive method of recruitment." The case against it is found to be very strong.…

The twelfth in a series of profiles documenting experiences with the use of instructional technology describes how the New York Institute of Technology focuses technology toward driving down tuition and thereby attracting students. (Author/MLF)

The usefulness of hospital charges as a means of teaching medical students the relationship between the quality and the cost of medical care provided by primary care physicians (internists and family physicians) is presented. It is believed that such case studies can aid medical students in understanding their developing role as "generators of…

The beleaguered educational publishing industry is making a valiant stand against a storm of challenges. From eradicating bias in textbooks to verifying textbook effectiveness, many problems must be faced. The industry responds by cooperating with educators. (Editor)

The second of two articles, describing how auditoriums could be divided with different types of operable walls, covers the rotating turntable technique of dividing auditoriums and the conflicting acoustical requirements for different uses. (MLF)

Discusses an engineering conference at which participants agreed that solar energy is a feasible energy source, although costs of such technology are presently very high. Also describes recent developments in solar energy research, and estimates the costs of this technology. (MLH)