Fifteen ideas used in the Plainfield (Illinois) schools for saving money and improving instruction are discussed and their costs described. The ideas include hosting specialized conferences and charging outside participants to cover costs; sharing personnel, facilities, and their costs with outside agencies; and providing special, low-cost…

The second part of the article published in "American School and University," December 1984 (EA 518 236), outlines specific steps administrators need to take to determine whether or not a direct purchase of natural gas is going to benefit their schools. (MLF)

Examines a number of data-based programs that have used computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in a specific area of adult education, adult basic education, and general education development. The findings of most of the studies range from "no significant differences" to CAI's being superior to "traditional only" methods. (CT)

A program is presented, designed for the Apple II, which enables users to compute heat loss of a building and determine the total heating cost, regardless of the type of fuel. Variables to be considered are explained and a step-by-step explanation of the program is included. (CT)

Briefly describes use of off-site staffing--indexers, abstractors, editors--in the production of two major databases: Management Contents and The Computer Data Base. Discussion covers the production sequence; database administrator; off-site indexer; savings (office space, furniture and equipment costs, salaries, and overhead); and problems…

Develops a conceptual model which places public library use in the context of a series of interrelated decisions made by consumer about allocating time to various activities based on relative costs and benefits, and tests the model against available data on the characteristics of public library users. Seventeen references are included. (EJS)

Analyzed psychometrics of a package of standardized scales used to assess mental health treatment outcomes in a VA cost-effectiveness study (N=451). Derived the following scales: family involvement, involvement with friends, labor market participation, symptomatology, substance abuse, client satisfaction, and client goal attainment. (LLL)

This survey of 39 Illinois libraries addresses six issues: extent of interlibrary loan activities involving microforms; usefulness of bibliographic controls in locating microforms for remote access; policies; effect of microform use on other library operations; librarian evaluations; and cost comparison of three forms of interlibrary services.…

Zero population growth will soon affect higher education. The sophisticated use of faculty, physical plant, and other resources offers possible solutions. (Author/MLF)

As the community college looks to its prospects for the future, its thinking should be focused on four words: (1) quantity, (2) quality, (3) careers, and (4) costs. (DC)

Discusses an experimental comparison of the structured versus unstructured training of semiskilled production workers to determine the effects of the two types of training on productivity. (ABM)

Life-cycle cost analysis deals with both present and future costs and attempts to relate the two as a basis for making decisions. This article lays the groundwork for a better understanding of the techniques of life-cycle cost analysis. (Author/MLF)

Demonstrates how a long-run average cost function was estimated for selected public elementary schools in Pennsylvania. The optimum sized elementary school was found to be one having 585.7 students and an educational plant of 71,832 square feet. Substantial economies of scale were evidenced up to the optimum attendance size. (Author/IRT)

Discusses conceptual and methodological issues surrounding the application of cost-benefit analysis to education and presents two examples of how to calculate the cost-benefit ratio of educational investments. (JG)

An ACE-sponsored task force investigated the impact of federal social and environmental programs on colleges and universities. Major findings are reviewed and implications discussed, such as: (1) the cost of federal regulation, (2) who pays the costs, (3) the right of higher education to special consideration, and (4) how higher education should…