Argues that community colleges should use enrollment patterns to guide technology-investment strategies. Suggests that technology investment should be focused on improving those few courses with the highest enrollment concentration. Describes how various colleges implemented this investment strategy. (JDI)

Describes ways many cities are managing to deliver better municipal services for less money, through competition and privatization. The impact of such changes on developing nations is explored. Although not explicitly stated, there are implications for public education through the private sector. (SLD)

Examines distance education practices over the past 10 years that must be addressed for developing feasible distance and distributed learning systems for the 21st century. Changes in financing, accrediting, assessment, and faculty workload are recommended so that higher education institutions can function more like businesses to provide…

Describes two types of campus space--non-revenue and revenue generating--to illustrate the potential cost savings that can result from good space-management practices. Uses classroom and housing areas as illustrations and explores the managerial implications of realizing cost savings. (GR)

Discusses consortium-based licensing as a means of meeting libraries' information resources needs. Topics include information needs, the need for more affordable information, requirements for libraries and for vendors, competition across disciplines, saving money, pricing and market practices, experiences at OhioLINK, and future possibilities.…

Presents information on minority doctoral students in accounting, drawing on surveys completed by 47 such students. Outlines demographic characteristics, and identifies respondents' rankings of costs and benefits of pursuing a doctorate in accounting. Most respondents were professionally certified and were interested in academic careers. (SLD)

Discusses the difficulties involved with pricing an online training course. Looks at such issues as the size of the marketplace, the ability to use the same course many times, the switch from time-centered to content-centered courses, the amount of time needed to complete a specific course, and the need for multimedia training materials. (JOW)

Sharon (Massachusetts) Public Schools developed an alternative procurement process for school food services that complies with state public bidding laws while evading "low-bid" constraints. The new process features evaluative criteria covering nutrition education, community outreach, management expertise, site visits, and price…

Reviews several studies focusing on technology-related student achievement gains and profiles programs that successfully use technology in teaching. Two benchmark studies by Houston's American Productivity and Quality Center document the effectiveness of total-immersion approaches, a focus on teaching and learning issues, and sufficient planning…

In an age of inclusion, schools for blind children may seem an outdated delivery model. Student outcomes show that these placement options are justifiable, legitimate, and critically essential for many children. Although specialized schools are more expensive, they provide more services and produce well-qualified graduates. (MLH)

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III), with increased emphasis on curriculum flexibility and academic/vocational collaboration, has formalized commitment to the school-to-work concept. However, STW implementation issues (whole-school reform, logistics, cost effectiveness, liability, and…

Examines the presumed cost/educational-quality relationship by studying expenditure patterns of high-, middle-, and low-expenditure districts in Pennsylvania over a 10-year period. Students in high-spending districts had sizeable advantages (smaller classes and administrative support) over those in the other spending groups. (18 references) (MLH)

Discusses the need for educators, trainers, and business people to be able to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Web-based training in order to make informed decisions about the appropriateness of this training method for their organization. Presents a case study of one organization that provides a detailed cost-benefit analysis. (Author/LRW)

A study of 16 British adult educators and trainers who undertook National Vocational Qualifications in learning development and human-resource management showed that participants and their organizations derived benefits and improved the flexibility of teaching practice. Language of the standards and their exchange use and value remain problematic.…

In an analysis of higher education in Fiji, this study incorporates the tax system in a model of the returns to education. Rather than subsidizing higher education, the public generates a significant financial benefit from its funding of higher education, in addition to profits made by the individual student. Contains 27 references. (MLH)