Discusses the use of minimum levels of technology, or technological minimalism, for Web-based multimedia course content. Highlights include cost effectiveness; problems with video streaming, the use of XML for Web pages, and Flash and Java applets; listservs instead of proprietary software; and proper faculty training. (LRW)

Describes the total cost of care, including both formal and informal services calculated using a market value approach, for a cohort of disabled elderly. The total annual cost of caring was estimated at $9,600; for most elders, the cost of a complete substitution of informal care for formal services, plus living expenses, was less costly than…

A recent study developed efficiency indicators (grouped into price, personnel, productivity, and policy categories) as part of an ongoing internal benchmarking process to help six affluent New York school districts manage their facilities maintenance and operations processes. Based on data analysis, the greatest area for potential savings (from…

Financially troubled districts could benefit by investing in a school business manager's salary. This article discusses how business managers can save districts money or increase revenue by streamlining cash management, fiscal accounting and reporting, financial planning and budgeting, grantsmanship, construction management, insurance and risk…

The School Energy Rebate Team Program at schools in Rockville (Maryland) addresses the human factor in energy management. Half of the costs avoided go back to the schools' activities funds. The program encourages schools to focus on electricity conservation, because electricity accounts for about 70% of the typical school's utility cost. (MLF)

A Dayton (Ohio) community college's 21 buildings were cooled by a network of 5 chillers, all of which used soon-to-be-banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). A reclamation program provides the college with reusable refrigerant and eliminates chiller replacement costs. Refrigerant from three of the old units is stockpiled for use in the two other…

Offers suggestions to school districts for operating a cost-efficient public-relations program, including districtwide mailings, face-to-face communication, weekly news releases, parent-orientation programs, a theme-based calendar, and other ideas. Public relations can be one of the most cost-effective items in a school-district budget. (LMI)

A study of 575 volunteers in 57 elementary schools discovered that most are women (aged 36-55) supporting classroom and learning activities. Volunteers improve climate, individual student achievement, and school-community relations. Poorer schools lack sufficient volunteers. Benefits outweigh administrative, recruitment, and training costs. (MLH)

Explains how to find statistics on the Internet, especially international statistics. Discusses advantages over print sources, including convenience, currency of information, cost effectiveness, and value-added formatting; sources of international statistics; United Nations agencies; search engines and power searching; and evaluating sources. (LRW)

Explains how an environmentally friendly (Green Building) educational facility can be cost effective and enhance student performance. The concepts behind a Green Building, the areas where cost savings are possible, and some examples of realized cost savings are highlighted. Green Building funding issues are discussed. (GR)

Demonstrates that it is possible for economies of scale to induce a price-discriminating monopolist to sell in an unprofitable market where the average cost always exceeds the price. States that higher profits in the profitable market caused by economies of scale may exceed losses incurred in the unprofitable market. (CMK)

Attempts to change employees' personal behavior to promote a healthy workplace raise ethical and professional questions. Needs for successful wellness programs must be balanced against individual rights to remain unhealthy. The paper discusses potential fiscal benefits of wellness programs, ethics of motivation, personal responsibility for health,…

Questions positive effects of small classes on student achievement. Describes study using 1998 NAEP reading data to determine whether students in small classes do better than students in large classes. Finds that after controlling for several factors such as gender, students in small classes did no better in reading than students in large classes.…

Examines how with thorough planning, school districts can save considerable money on technology investments. Planning issues discussed include comparing computer network installation costs for new construction vs. renovation, buying the appropriate number of file servers, dealing with maintenance costs, maximizing purchasing power. (GR)

A cost-benefit model for calculating private rates of return to education uses existing wage structure, cost of education, and risk premiums for school dropout. A Swiss study applying the model shows that, once educational costs are deducted, wage earning advantages for different educational levels are insignificant. (SK)