A program developed by the Association for Curriculum and Supervision Development and Group Decisions Support Systems, Inc., aims to enhance accountability and improve school district/community communication. Scoreboards for Schools addresses inadequacies of current financial reporting systems by providing tightly linked planning strategies for…

Opening the communication lines among a school district in Derby, Kansas, and two other local governmental units--the city of Derby and the Derby Recreation Commission, led to a multitude of cooperative efforts that were fiscally responsible and beneficial for the entire community. (MLF)

A study investigated effects of visuals use in interactive multimedia instruction in a college-level unit on listening skills in communication. Subjects (n=140 students) were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (use of visuals/no use of visuals). Results indicate no significant difference between groups on cognitive or listening tests…

Using personal computer spreadsheet software, standard corporate financial analysis can help university research administrators communicate the value of research and development to sponsors and other stakeholders; balance projects, technologies, or categories of research; and continually assess the value of investing in ongoing projects. It also…

Eric Hanushek's conclusion that money does not matter in public education is debatable. His latest meta-analysis reviews many articles from economics journals, while omitting several published in education journals. He finds no relationship between test results and spending, yet labels schools inefficient. In other research, the Annie Casey…

Five trends in the creation of college student recruitment publications are identified: (1) using market research and marketing principles; (2) targeting specific groups; (3) honesty about campus personality and reputation; (4) cost-effectiveness; and (5) creativity in using effective copy and design. (MSE)

The longitudinal High Scope/Perry Preschool Study of 123 African Americans in poverty and at high risk of school failure interviewed 95% of participants at age 27. Profiles indicate that participants had fewer criminal arrests, higher earnings and property wealth, and greater commitment to marriage than nonparticipants, suggesting significant…

Revisits key school effectiveness measurement issues: difficulties in evaluating school effectiveness from behavioral data due to observation/measurement problems; evidence on marginal values of schooling outputs and schooling production relations; methodological issues in underlying studies and their carryover to cost-benefit estimates; and…

Reviews research showing that there is a level of quality below which children's development is compromised. Uses analogies of options available to consumers when buying cars to designate features of quality child care. Argues that high-quality care should be available to all children. (AMC)

Describes the simultaneous development of paper-based and digitized versions of a textbook and related instructional material used in an undergraduate, independent study, distance education course at Athabasca University (Canada). Used break-even analysis as an initial evaluation measure to determine cost-effectiveness, and discusses the next…

After 20 years of inadequate heating and cooling, an Indiana school district took advantage of a 1994 state law that allows school districts to bypass the "low-bidder wins" restriction. The district established a guaranteed energy-saving contract for a climate-control-improvements package to retrofit the junior-senior high school. (MLF)

Develops a framework for specifying and evaluating clients' needs in English for occupational purposes programs in terms of cost-benefit analyses. Shows how government agencies and nongovernmental organizations involved in language in development work can develop language programs with likely returns on investment and evaluate programmatic impacts…

Focuses on library economic metrics, and presents a conceptual framework for library economic metrics including service input and output, performance, usage, effectiveness, outcomes, impact, and cost and benefit comparisons. Gives examples of these measures for comparison of library electronic and print collections and collection services.…

Examines cost-effectiveness of school inclusion for special-needs students. Includes cost analysis of instructional personnel, impact on general education spending, transportation, and school space. Draws policy implications. (Contains 34 references.) (PKP)

In response to Fischer (HE 527 626), the author considers his proposal to simplify and unify the need analysis used in the Pell grant program and other federal need-based student aid to be useful and well designed, avoiding some common political considerations as it improves procedures and increases equity. The alternative cost-saving aspects of…