Describes a study in which two media presentations, tape-slide and film, were evaluated in order to determine their relative cost-effectiveness when used as automated teaching aids for the mentally handicapped. Sixteen references are listed. (Author)

Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys since 1959 concerning school construction point toward a continued drop in employee hours required per constant dollar of construction cost; as a percentage of all costs, materials and supplies have fallen below 45 percent, while overhead and profits have increased dramatically. (BM)

Discusses how to improve the effectiveness of staff meetings. Suggests important considerations: determining whether a meeting is needed, determining its purpose and objectives, developing the agenda, timing, facilitating group discussion, keeping and distributing minutes, and evaluating effectiveness. (CSS)

Describes the reporting system implemented by Mercer County Community College (New Jersey) to account for the costs of responding to external requests for information. Outlines the procedures for assigning priority to data requests, filling the requests, and reporting costs. Provides samples of forms. (JP)

A Florida campus became the laboratory for training energy technicians. The first year's class operation saved $37,500 in energy costs. (Author/MLF)

Describes Navarro College's (Corsicana, TX) program to reduce kilowatt hour consumption through alternative energy sources and energy costs through transition to a four-day/40-hour work week. Presents results of studies of employee performance levels, community response, and the cost effectiveness of the program. Lists benefits for the student,…

Describes an experiment in passage retrieval for scientists using a variety of forms of retrieval question and search words selected independently by two different people. (FM)

Discusses various components of an extension course to train persons in rural areas of Australia for a child-care certificate. (DB)

A four-day week at a Pennsylvania community college has reduced the amount of natural gas used to operate air conditioning equipment. (MLF)

Cost analysis of an automated network system and a manual system of cataloging and book processing indicates a 20 percent savings using automation. Per unit costs based on the average monthly automation rate are used for comparison. Higher manual system costs are attributed to staff costs. (RAA)

Representative models of program evaluation are described by their approach to values, and categorized by empirical style: positivism versus humanism. The models are: social process audit; experimental/quasi-experimental research design; goal-free evaluation; systems evaluation; cost-benefit analysis; and accountability program evaluation. (CP)

Explains how to design training programs in which the trainer and the work group collaborate on designing a program that produces agreed-upon behavioral changes in employee performance. The modified critical incident technique is a diagnostic tool which provides information concerning the cost effectiveness of education and training programs. (CT)

Reports a study that sought to estimate the individual costs and benefits of traditional and adult undergraduates of North Carolina State University, to estimate the undergraduates' individual rates of return, and, most importantly, to ascertain any differences in costs, benefits, and rates of return between traditional and adult students. (JMD)

Creative responses of the poorer higher education institutions to the demands of production under restraints of minimal resource allocation are described. It is suggested that similar cooperative arrangements and group efforts could help other institutions facing financial restraints. Sources for additional information are cited. (Author/SF)

A cost-benefit and speed-accuracy analysis of semantic priming in a lexical decision task provided information relevant to the automatic-conscious distinction as well as to the operation of discriminability, criterion bias, and response bias in the facilitation. (Author/MH)