The empirical research on the economics of early educational intervention for handicapped children is reviewed and critically assessed. Analysis of 16 research reports shows that few methodologically sound economic studies have been conducted, and statements that early intervention is cost effective cannot be empirically substantiated. (Author/JDD)

Discusses a study of completers of the General Educational Development (GED) program. Concluded that (1) adult education is cost-effective; (2) concern for cost-effectiveness should not detract from other benefits; (3) completing the GED provides motivation to continue education; and (4) many perceive the GED certificate as a "second…

The origin and evolution of management programs at Stanford University Medical Center that have proven instrumental in guiding the implementation of a cost-effective microcomputer workstation environment are described. (Author/MLW)

Summarizes the arguments for and against fees in public libraries, and discusses whether the fee controversy is one of alternative technical means of securing funding, or of competing visions of the role of the public library. (Author/CLB)

Compares two random samples of developmentally disabled workers, one from sheltered workshops, the other from a supported work program, in terms of client characteristics, program effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and job satisfaction. Suggests that the sheltered workshop program was more effective than the supported work program in terms of the…

Four viewpoints concerning the cost of a computerized guidance program are explored: (1) that of the software publisher; (2) the business manager at the agency which plans to computerize; (3) the technical expert, or hardware specialist; and (4) the counselor. (CT)

This study derives the economic costs of misclassification in nursing home patient classification systems. These costs are then used as weights to estimate the reliability of a functional assessment instrument. Results suggest that reliability must be redefined and remeasured with each substantively new application of an assessment instrument.…

The author examines the actual concept of a practical curriculum. He notes that educational planners, especially in the Third World, have argued for a strong vocational element to curricula (often with an emphasis on manual skills) and yet, historically, this has often conflicted with parental perceptions of the value of schooling. (Editor/CT)

This description of the role of budgets in nonprofit organizations uses libraries as an example. Four types of budgets--legislative, management, cash, and capital--are critiqued in terms of cost effectiveness, implementation, and facilitation of organizational control and objectives. (CLB)

Traces state financial aid to private colleges in New York State, culminating in McGeorge Bundy's subsidy program beginning in 1967. Questions whether students have actually benefited from Bundy Aid. A statistical analysis shows that private college tuition levels are determined more by academic quality than by costs, religious affiliation, or…

Describes reasons for developing combined text and computer assisted instruction (CAI) teaching programs for delivery of continuing education to laboratory professionals, and mechanisms used for developing a CAI program on method evaluation in the clinical laboratory. Results of an evaluation of the software's cost effectiveness and instructional…

Recommends strategies to help for-profit and non-profit child care centers survive financial crises. These strategies include discovering the source of the problem; monitoring cash flow; trimming the budget; slowing cash outflow; speeding cash inflow; exploring new income sources; enduring the strain effectively; and avoiding crisis repetition.…

Discusses the money saving practice of small communities contracting with neighboring communities for special government services like firefighting. Using fire protection as an example, provides practical information for negotiating a fair price. Stresses establishing a bargaining range within which negotiations can take place--setting upper and…

The authors focus on the organizational context of training evaluation and discuss the following main themes: What organizational factors need to be considered? What sort of objectivity can evaluation studies aspire to? What can training gain from approaches to evaluation originating outside the training literature? (CT)

Describes a study of the computer searches performed by 14 education specialists on the ERIC database. Interviews with users indicate they felt retrieved materials were relevant, the database provides access to materials not obtainable through other sources, and the proportion of irrelevant items in the output is not significant. (MBR)