Inspired by four recent decisions to change achievement tests used in the Austin Independent School District, the separate forms used and procedures followed have been combined into a systematic approach intended for use in future achievement test selections. A rating scale (Attachment 1) was developed to expedite a systematic comparison among…

This report provides an illustrative discussion of the nature of a cost-effectiveness study in a higher education setting. It focuses on the cost-effectiveness of two field-based teacher preparation courses taught in a college of education. It is not a comprehensive cost analysis study, but an exploratory review of the dimensions and problems of…

This manual describes a systematic process for conducting an educational needs assessment at the building level which includes suggestions for the formation of an advisory group and the use of two Likert Scale surveys. The advisory group is composed of parents, students, and educators; this group carries out the tasks of understanding, planning,…

A study of the libraries cooperating in the Fox Valley (Wisconsin) Interlibrary Loan Network compared alternative equipment and communications scenarios which would satisfy the functions desired by the libraries. The dominant communications need identified through a survey of network participants was the sending of interlibrary loan requests among…

Evaluation systems were designed for the assessment of the instructional and non-instructional programs at Foothill College (California) to determine whether the objectives of the programs were being met and to ascertain the direct and indirect costs of the programs. For the instructional programs, criteria for determining effectiveness, revenue…

This study compares the cost effectiveness of using a CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory) system known as Bibliofile and the currently used OCLC (Online Computer Library Center)-based method to convert a university library's shelflist into a machine-readable database in the MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) format. The cost of each method of…

The purpose of this study was to improve upon previous research investigations by analyzing the elements of cost effectiveness, precision, recall, citation overlap, and hours searching in a comparison between computerized database searching and manual searching, using the setting of an academic library environment with a diverse group of students…

This paper identifies policies, programs, principles, and problems involved in the use of technology in education, which is described as currently minimal. The following topics are discussed: (1) indicators of the pressure on higher education to adopt a less resistant approach to the use of technology; (2) the progress that has been made in the…

This review of the literature on interactive video examines research and evaluation reports in the context of the continuing debate over the effectiveness of media debate and Richard E. Clark's argument that media do not have a substantial impact on learning. The literature is examined from four perspectives: (1) behavioral issues (e.g., whether…

This report is one of a series of briefs prepared by the American Institute of Architects National Committee on Architecture for Education addressing ways and means of reducing costs in the design and delivery of educational facilities. Specifically, this report is a useful guide to understanding the relationships between educational philosophy…

In March 1988, the Office of the Legislative Auditor for the State of Minnesota conducted a program evaluation and financial audit of physical plant operations at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus. The auditors examined the physical plant's management, financial, and personnel controls and the effectiveness and efficiency of…

This report outlines economic components that will eventually contribute to large models of electronic text services in institutions of higher education, and provides a simple and practical assessment of economic issues associated with electronic text for college administrators, faculty, and planners. This assessment constitutes a layman's guide…

Telephone interviews were conducted with key individuals in each of the 50 states to gather information on both the most successful and the least successful technology-based educational projects at the elementary and secondary levels in each state. The survey was designed to elicit information on the following: (1) the instructional needs…

A brief introduction by Frank H. Spaulding, president of the Special Libraries Association, is followed by highlights of the findings of the appointed presidential task force on the value of the information professional and an executive summary of task force activities and reports. In addition, an introduction by Allen B. Veaner provides…

The guide is intended to simplify and identify procedures taken by the federal government to approve, construct, and evaluate a Department of Indian Affairs capital school building project. The approach involves extracting the basic information provided in a number of government publications and dividing the various elements into specific…