Discusses obstacles to making recycled office paper cheaper. Explains how the economics of recycled office paper discourages recycling by commodity mills. Includes discussion of integrated and nonintegrated mills, commodity and specialty mills, specialty printing and writing mills, postconsumer material, supply and demand, and economic…

Argues that the selection of a database is a significant factor in the success and cost effectiveness of an online search, and provides guidelines for determining whether the content of a database is relevant for a particular search and whether the database is accessible, affordable, and suitable for the search. (LAE)

Research suggests that addition or expansion of a comprehensive student activities program at community colleges can lower the high student attrition rate and the cost of constant recruitment. Although increased emphasis on comprehensive extracurricular activities can be expensive in personnel and other resources, it may be a worthwhile…

Data from the Job Training Partnership Act's Title II-A program indicate that training outcomes, training costs, and per capita availability of funding are better in rural than urban areas. Despite limitations in technical infrastructure, rural programs have the advantages of less "difficult" clientele and lower program salaries.…

The impact of the 1985 Illinois seat belt law is explored using Box-Jenkins Auto-Regressive, Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA) techniques and monthly accident statistical data from the state department of transportation for January-July 1990. A conservative estimate is that the law provides benefits of $15 million per month in Illinois. (SLD)

Although costs inhibit large-scale change, many large institutions are moving toward improvements in undergraduate education, with some imitating some aspects of small colleges. Reduced class and section sizes, elaborate orientations, special freshman groups, and courses in which faculty share cutting-edge research with freshmen and sophomores are…

Results of combining various measures of faculty productivity in a public research university with budgetary cost data using input-output analyses are reported. Application of this method provides mixed support for the notion that university administrators can use annual budget decisions to influence faculty productivity and costs. (SLD)

Tennessee's four-year Project STAR provided one-third class size reduction in early elementary school. Small class students in all types of schools scored significantly higher than regular class students in reading and math. The article discusses lessons learned and cost-effective ways to reduce class size. (SM)

The economic utility of the following 5 weighting methods for evaluating consumer loan applications was determined using a sample of 443 loans: (1) unit; (2) weighted application blank; (3) chi square; (4) Bayes; and (5) regression. The unit and weighted application blank procedures were the best approaches. (SLD)

The visual acuity of 8 children, aged 2-7, with low vision and multiple handicaps was effectively tested using the Teller Acuity Cards and a preferential-looking procedure with operant modification. This inexpensive procedure was found to be suitable for at-home testing by itinerant vision specialists in developing countries or rural areas. (DB)

Over 200 California school districts are combined in 6 different cooperatives utilizing 3 different organizational structures to improve food services. Provides proof of cost savings and purchasing efficiency. (MLF)

Two school districts, one in Pennsylvania and the other in Minnesota, shaped the future of their school food-service and nutrition departments. Leaders in both districts used the strategic planning process as a tool to develop a shared vision, a clear identity, and a commitment to achieving success. (MLF)

Mara Sapon-Shevin and Jim Kauffman debate the potential and pitfalls of the inclusion movement. Sapon-Shevin enumerates the benefits of inclusion accompanied by adequate resources, support and commitment, teacher preparation time, restructuring, and staff development. Kauffman insists that alternative settings are necessary for some students and…

In 1993, the Georgetown University library spent over four dollars to support its depository program for every dollar the Government Printing Office spent to distribute the information. Methods used to calculate costs, cost-sharing issues, and suggested action are discussed. Appendixes include a summary of the cost-compilation model and a…

Outlines the economic and academic advantages and disadvantages of year-round college schedules. Economic factors include cost savings, rising enrollments, quicker graduation due to accelerated programming, higher annual costs, administrative problems, higher tuition, and barriers to student seasonal employment. Academic factors include continuous…