Describes the use of the tetrachoric correlation for experimental research and hypothesis testing of the efficiency of computerized information searching. Highlights include recall, relevance, and precision in information retrieval; use of a spreadsheet; examples; and limitations. (Author/LRW)

Recent reform of Australia's higher education system has resulted in a much more direct relationship between government and universities. Although it is criticized as reducing institutional autonomy, the new interdependence of the entities reflects an official view of higher education as an invaluable economic resource and concerns about…

Three experiments involving 138 college students investigated why one type of graphic organizer (a matrix) may communicate interconcept relations better than an outline or text. Results suggest that a matrix is more computationally efficient than either outline or text, allowing the easier computation of relationships. (SLD)

Microcomputer-managed examination scheduling at the University of Calgary (Canada) has two stages. The first uses mathematical methods to create a timetable that is conflict-free, uses a minimum number of periods, and minimizes the number of students with multiple exams in one day. An interactive stage allows the examination officer to accommodate…

The University of Calgary (Canada) medical school admissions process has been streamlined with the Student Admission to Medicine computer program, largely paperless, that creates a database from student applications. The database then converts grades to the university's standards and assists with administrative details, statistical analyses, and…

The University of California at Santa Cruz has completed a successful test of a wireless computer network that would enable students and professors to get on line from anywhere on campus. The network, linked by radio waves, could save millions of dollars in campus wiring costs and would better meet student and faculty information needs. (MSE)

Sponsors of education management information systems (EMIS) often underestimate EMIS's impact on other education sector activities and fail to provide individual and organizational incentives for encouraging use of improved educational data at the national level. Liberia's example illustrates the consequences of developing poor incentive…

States are enacting new laws and policies that require colleges and universities to demonstrate efficiency, quality, and sound stewardship of public money. School accountability is regaining prominence in a period of shrinking state budgets and taxpayer concern about rising costs. (MSE)

A discussion of successful leadership in meetings looks at differing philosophies about the role of the group leader, the different roles assumed by group members, minimal responsibilities that the leader must fulfill, and specific suggestions for maintaining the group's interest during the meeting. (MSE)

A generalized variance criterion is proposed to measure efficiency in item-response-theory (IRT) models. Heuristic arguments are given to formulate the efficiency of a design in terms of an asymptotic generalized variance criterion. Efficiencies of designs for one-, two-, and three-parameter models are compared. (SLD)

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo is exploring several cost-effective technological solutions to improve learning productivity, reduce labor intensity, and provide new ways to deliver education and better services to students while enhancing quality of instruction. Strategic planning and partnerships have been key…

Analysis of videotapes of training procedures with 12 developmentally disabled adults in a horticultural day work program found an overall staff emphasis on selectively attending to workers' successful behavior with evidence of both efficiency and effectiveness of this approach. (Author/DB)

Computerized pupil transportation systems offer promising benefits to school districts. Outlines ways school administrators can select the right product by following some traditional business approaches. (MLF)

The performance model of administration, not a resource model, is what is needed for colleges and universities to thrive in an environment of budget cuts and lowered public trust. Continuous improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of operational processes demonstrates quality management principles such as those embodied in the Total…

This study, involving four secondary-age students with moderate to severe mental retardation, found that four response prompting conditions (progressive time delay and the system of least prompts, both with and without a descriptive consequent event) were effective in teaching reading of recipe words with similar efficiency and maintenance. (JDD)