Explores two underlying dimensions of school effectiveness: instrumental and expressive functions. Explores Paul Mott's idea of perceived organizational effectiveness as a concise measure capturing both these dimensions. Tests a model incorporating expressive elements (trust and school health) and instrumental elements (student achievement). Each…

A survey of 145 schools found that all had experimented with innovative purchasing approaches. Many used electronic methods, such as credit-card, fast-track requisition (most popular), bidding and purchasing, and data interchange. Results suggest that nonelectronic innovations (just-in-time, cooperative, direct, and consortium leverage purchasing)…

Tools from industrial psychology and business can be designed to help schools select the best teachers. Hiring systems should identify and screen for desirable attitudes, behaviors, and skills; validate the selection process to predict excellence; ensure legal compliance; and eliminate unproductive paperwork. A five-stage application, testing,…

This article explores the meaning of efficiency and equity in the context of independent living programs for people with disabilities. Conflicts in costs and trade-offs in various scenarios of the efficiency/equity equation are examined in terms of theories of utilitarianism, contractarianism, justice and mutual advantage, and justice as…

Describes how Deer Park School District, Long Island, New York, is saving money while boosting efficiency by centralizing its high-volume printing and duplicating operations. The new arrangement saves space, time, and expenses. (LMI)

Drawing on a study of Ohio's 2-year colleges involving an evaluation of their challenges and business practices, presents recommendations for streamlining operations, enhancing programs, taking advantage of positive partnerships, and more. Includes information on obtaining the full report. (EV)

Considers an unexpected and remarkable preference for second language reading among some dyslexics that has been noted, presenting a challenge to accepted theory on dyslexia and the capacity for second language learning. Shows that two dyslexic groups differed significantly in the degree to which task performance, including reading efficiency, was…

Florida state officials promoted the lottery as a successful revenue-producing source for public education. Yet, increases in lottery revenues (even when combined with increased student fees and other revenues) were insufficient to offset significant declines in state allocations to community colleges after the lottery was introduced and reached…

Examined the revenue and cost structures of higher education institutions. First, documented the reduced importance of state appropriations and the increased importance of tuition revenues during the early 1990s in public universities. Second, considered how the changed revenue structure influenced cost efficiency in public higher education…

Results of study of student academic efficiency of two types of public (government and community) and two types private (Christian and Wazazi) secondary schools in Tanzania finds the private schools less efficient; that is, they produce lower student achievement test scores than the public schools. (Contains 29 references.) (PKP)

With today's relatively flat budgets, research libraries are finding their buying power further diminished by the hyperinflationary costs of library materials. Yet technology innovation, coupled with organizational restructuring, is enabling libraries not only to provide more high-quality information services but also to achieve unparalleled…

In recent years, two "paradoxes" have emerged in the "seller's market" of Chinese higher education. One is a strong demand for buying educational services and a weak demand for consumption; a second is the coexistence of an entry to the seller's market and an exit point from the buyer's market. These two "paradoxes"…

In this article, the author offers his views on downsizing the public schools in the US. To be efficient, American industries are redesigning themselves to stay competitive. Likewise, America's public schools are being prompted to do the same. The author contends that downsizing public schools may only cause adverse impact. Since education is…

The need to support users of the Internet with the selection of information is becoming more important. Learners in complex, self-organising Learning Networks have similar problems and need guidance to find and select most suitable learning activities, in order to attain their lifelong learning goals in the most efficient way. Several research…

One of the ultimate goals of policy makers is to enable citizens to take advantage of a globalised world economy. This is leading them to focus on the improvement of education policies, ensuring the quality of service provision, a more equitable distribution of learning opportunities and stronger incentives for greater efficiency in schooling.…