This paper argues that program evaluation research should be broadened to deal systematically with the economics of resource use at the level of the individual social service delivery agency. The argument is strengthened by the recognition that input use can be established by the same methods used to measure service delivery. (Author/MV)

While the value of graduate education in business, whether paid for by companies or individuals, should not be unequivocally denied, corporate policies should be re-examined to permit the firm to maximize the return from a tuition refund plan rather than being the unsuspecting loser. (Author)

Placing the space costs with the operating budget of the college or department enables the administration to see more completely the total cost of the academic program and encourages energy conservation. (Author/MLF)

Twenty-one members of graduate internal medicine training program were studied to determine whether feedback of simple ambulatory practice profiles would prove valuable in their training program. Results suggest that attention to style of practice during training could be extremely cost effective. (Author/LBH)

Provides an historical overview of the issues and opportunities presented by distance education throughout the world and discusses future possibilities such as digital and networked technologies, the increased use of homes as learning sites and of computers rather than printed materials, and the economic impact and costs of distance education.…

Better managerial control in terms of decision making and understanding the costs of a system/service result from allocating indirect costs. Allocation requires a three-step process: selecting cost objectives, pooling related overhead costs, and selecting costs bases to connect the objectives to the pooled costs. Argues that activity-based costing…

For the past 10 years the South Carolina Department of Education annually has rewarded the top 20% of its public elementary schools. Identifies a positive relationship between larger schools and sustained academic achievement, although the impact of size was relatively small. Smaller schools tended to be serving students in lower socioeconomic…

To determine if initial keyboard training resulted in more effective use of capital investment, two groups were tested: one received keyboard training using a manual typewriter, the other trained in word processing on a computer. Keyboarding was tested before and after and student attitudes were surveyed. Concluded that keyboard training is cost…

Provides an overview of satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) technology and includes some illustrations of how GPS is introduced in field-based exercises in the educational setting. Highlights forestry and geography classes, but also discusses archeology, geology, and wildlife science. Benefits include affordability, flexibility,…

James R. Mingle and Larry Gold discuss distance education issues raised in an American Federation of Teachers report, "How Unions Can Harness the Technology Revolution on Campus." Highlights include cost-effectiveness, quality control, access to education, faculty jobs and roles, and the future of distance education. (AEF)

Higher education is challenged to provide greater accountability, cost reduction, and collegial inclusivity. Olivet College has created a model for institutional transformation through a cost-effective service-learning program based on character education. Olivet's redesigned curricular and cocurricular offerings help students discover ways to…

Argues that higher education is a labor-intensive service industry of independent and mutually jealous units supporting expensive and underused facilities, resulting in vast inefficiency. Paying for college education is a source of increasing distress for families. Colleges argue that the truly needy have better access than ever. Constantly…

Data from a survey of personnel directors in United Kingdom universities were used to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of job sharing from the institutions' perspective. Results show a 5% rise in productivity would raise the ratio of benefits to cost to 14.3 to 1. Retention of staff, reduction of stress, and reduced unemployment are also benefits.…

Highlights several articles that raise questions about the role of research in educational reform. These articles argue over the use of National Assessment of Educational Progress results for accountability purposes; and the advisability of using cost-benefit analysis in critiquing educational reform proposals, and particularly, in evaluating the…

Smart growth schools are small in size, encourage broad community involvement, and make good use of existing resources. Promoting small, community-based schools requires innovation, new partnerships, and a commitment to working to overcome the barriers presented by traditional rules and regulations. (Author/MLF)