Examines obstacles students face in attending English-as-a-Second-Language literacy programs and reviews some alternatives. It is suggested that organizations need to identify more precisely the groups for whom they are developing programs prior to setting up classes. (12 references) (Author/LB)

Explores limits of quantitative research methods and introduces qualitative approach, focus groups, as alternative information-collection tool for student personnel administrators. Presents two research projects where focus groups were used. Maintains that focus group approach has several advantages, including cost effectiveness, emphasis on…

College outplacement services provide effective, constructive support to terminated employees. They are cost effective and provide a positive situation for the organization and outplaced candidate by providing a support system, preventing litigation, and building morale. The process has five phases: dealing with loss; assessment; marketing;…

Describes a study that investigated whether academic library patrons searching Agricola on CD-ROM would be willing to use an online updating system to obtain more current citations, the level of user satisfaction with the updating system, and the cost involved in making such a system available to all patrons searching Agricola on CD-ROM. (Four…

Description of the University of Guam focuses on its role in distance education for Micronesia. An experimental distance education model based on the use of commercially produced videotapes is described, cost comparisons are made with on-campus courses, sociocultural educational implications are discussed, and prospects for the future are…

Evaluation of industrial research and development (R&D) must be simple and low cost, and it must contribute to corporate goals without distracting researchers from their research. These points are illustrated with reference to General Electric's Research and Development Center, which is the company's corporate laboratory. (SLD)

Research has demonstrated that small groups exert powerful emotional influence on members. Learning group effectiveness in American schools is hindered by groups' short-lived character. Article recommends that American educators stress group persistence by keeping discrete groups of students and teachers together over long time periods, reorganize…

Reviews important factors relevant to measuring the costs and outcomes of home visiting programs and examines six cost-benefit studies of such programs. Concludes that these studies demonstrate the feasibility of economic evaluation of home visiting and the importance of the insights it can produce. (MDM)

School transportation experts consider the following essential rules in purchasing school buses: know your geography; know federal and state regulations; write specifications carefully; plan for replacement and growth; check out prospective bidders; keep up with recent trends; and remain flexible. New Jersey enacted a law last year requiring seat…

Effective financial management of school food service observes the following credos: (1) recognize that school food service is a business; (2) manage for productivity; (3) establish and maintain cost controls; (4) focus on expenses but not to the neglect of managing revenue; (5) balance near-term gain with long-term viability; and (6) reinvest…

A computerized menu-planning method, "Nutrient Standard Menu Planning" (NSMP), uses today's technology to create healthier menus. Field tested in 20 California school districts, the advantages of NSMP are cost effectiveness, increased flexibility, greater productivity, improved public relations, improved finances, and improved student…

Examined the effectiveness of experienced-based versus other experiential learning. First graders participated in experience-dictation, experience-debriefing, or debriefing-only groups. Pre- and posttesting probed students' understanding of 10 basic economic concepts and use of cost-benefit analysis in decision making. Findings supported the…

Brief case study of Internet applications in a fifth-grade class demonstrates that Internet use can increase student engagement and participation. Overview of the current debate on networking schools for Internet access discusses the rationale for Internet use, issues of cost effectiveness and untrained teachers, and potential benefits of…

Explains the importance of using geothermal systems to reduce energy costs and improve heating and cooling in multipurpose schools. What geothermal systems are and their benefits in simplifying the school infrastructure and streamlining operating costs are highlighted. (GR)

Describes a study of State University of New York libraries that determined the cost effectiveness of journal ownership versus access by calculating financial costs of interlibrary loan versus subscriptions. Journal subscriptions in the fields of mathematics and sciences that historically have high prices and low levels of use were studied. (LRW)