This booklet surveys the possibilities in instituting a 4-day school week, an approach which has gained favor in some small school districts. The history of the 4-day week and its characteristics are first described. Drawing on case studies of districts that have begun the 4-day schedule, the authors enumerate the steps in proposing and…

The model, structure, program, and impacts of the Newton (Massachusetts) Community Schools are described as exemplary of community education service delivery. The Newton Community Schools have two components: education of the whole community and the involvement of citizens in program and policy decision-making. Section 1 of the report provides a…

A study was conducted to analyze the impact of adult basic education (ABE) in New Jersey. Following an extensive review of previous ABE impact studies, data were gathered from a specially selected sample of adult ABE students through an open-ended questionnaire administered by telephone interviews. Students were questioned about their reasons for…

The Child Care Action Campaign commissioned research from nine leading economists and policy analysts for the purpose of focusing attention on the link between economic well-being and child care. After the preparation of the research, a national convention was convened to discuss the connection between child care and economic well-being, and to…

This report summarizes the presentations and discussions at a conference on contingent labor sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The first two sections are introductory: (1) "Introduction to the Role of Contingent Labor" (Kathleen Christensen, Mary Murphree); and (2) "Between Now and the Year 2000: A Glimpse of the Workplace" (Jill Houghton…

A study compared the cost effectiveness of secondary child care and commercial foods occupational home economics programs in Kentucky. Identified as dependent variables in the study were program effectiveness, cost efficiency, and cost effectiveness ratio. Program expenditures, community size, and program age were considered as independent…

All 22 papers presented at the 1982 meeting of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators are contained in these proceedings. The papers are organized under four topical areas: resource management, energy management, maintenance programs, and physical plant management. Resource management area papers offer advice on establishing a day…

The deferred maintenance problem on college and university campuses is addressed. Deferred maintenance refers to larger or more expansive maintenance work that can be delayed and is not performed when needed or reported, usually because its cost is beyond the annual maintenance and operating budget of the physical plant department. Eventually…

Computer adaptive testing systems are feasible for certification and licensure testing. This is in part due to the availability of extensive yet inexpensive computers. Modern item response theory, combined with computerized adaptive testing, yields a powerful new method of testing which provides greater accuracy and efficiency and less boredom for…

Completion and cost data for six courses delivered in two different modes--home study and paced package--through Athabasca University were analyzed. Students in a home study course received tutorial support via the telephone and progress through the course was at the discretion of each individual learner. Students in a paced package course…

The feasibility of reducing scoring costs for the Test of Spoken English (TSE) by using one rater was investigated. Currently, two raters are used. It was found that, because of the possibility of different standards used by potential raters, it does not appear feasible to use a single rater as the sole determiner of speaking proficiency under the…

The costs of education are usually shared by governments and students. Cost benefit analyses have failed to indicate how these costs should be apportioned, since such analyses measure only economic benefits and leave out the psychological, sociological, and political benefits governments and educators must consider in financial planning.…

One of seven guides developed to assist vocational-technical institutions in conducting a systemized approach to local evaluation, this follow-up and cost effectiveness guide provides a suggested procedure for conducting a needs assessment from the external sources of former students. This guide also suggests various uses of extant enrollment and…

The costs of education continue to increase, despite education's uncertain effectiveness in curing social and economic ills. A wise cost and resource allocation policy can help control runaway educational spending, but cannot bridge the widening gap between educational costs and funding. State support of education is required on two grounds:…

The Joint Educational Project (JEP) is a partnership started in 1972 between the University of Southern California and eight public schools. It has achieved a number of purposes ranging from development of new curricula and conduct of applied research to making the university and community a friendlier place. A project description tells how JEP…