In "Online Professional Development for Teachers," the authors look closely at exemplary online professional development programs, compare them carefully with one another, and draw helpful conclusions about them--both for those who develop online programs and for teachers and administrators in search of professional development programs…

This volume features original studies and research syntheses on educational effectiveness and efficiency and serves to clarify what is known about effective public schools. It concerns educational conditions, policies, and practices with an eye toward student achievement, especially that of children living in poverty. Thirteen chapters include:…

This report provides the findings from each University of Wisconsin (UW) System institution, requested by the Board of Regents, of efficiency-related measures undertaken and recommendations of other efficiency measures that would increase capacity in the future. Following an executive summary, description of the institutions' actions are grouped…

Examines merit pay in terms of utility maximization, which assumes an employee exerts an amount of effort providing the greatest individual utility. Pay incentives succeed when technologies are clearly specified, productivity is easily measurable, employees understand the reward structure, and risk and uncertainty are minimal. Includes 11…

In July of 2007, the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) at Indiana University was contracted to conduct an evaluation of the Indiana charter schools. The evaluation has been designed to ensure that all objectives of the provisions of HEA 1001-2007 are fulfilled. In addition, the framework of the study is based in IC 20-24-2-1,…

Delays in publication of articles in economics are examined, drawing on a survey of researchers in the field. It is concluded that members of this and other disciplines are responsible for more efficient peer review. A restructured selection process, better communication with referees, and enhanced policing of reviewers are also recommended. (MSE)

The University of Montpelier I's 1969 statutes permitting maximum autonomy for the faculties of law and economics, medicine, and pharmacology resulted in a well-established division between the university's constituent parts and an unwillingness to pool resources to effect savings. (MSE)

It is noted that federal deregulation of the electrical utility industry will allow colleges and universities to buy electrical services from suppliers who provide the best reliability and cost combination. Considerations are examined for the following options: purchasing an existing electrical substation, building a new substation, using on-site…

Productivity and efficiency in education are defined and their dynamics analyzed. It is proposed that improvement of productivity comes not from working harder but from working smarter. Key contributors to improvement are identified including collaborative planning and work organization, skill utilization and output-based planning, and use of…

Grants management staff at the Bureau of Health Professions, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, used existing computer technology and staff expertise to automate several steps in one grant program. Creative use of computers and software resulted in significant time savings, better staff use, and recording of data to improve grants…

A college's administrative services and support units must give attention to improving quality and service just as instructional units do. Greater efficiency and productivity among noninstructional units can have a significant impact on institutional feasibility. Cost reduction is most effective when there is a common understanding of core…

A group of 17 independent colleges and universities in Virginia combine their long distance telephone traffic and network services for an expected savings of $4.65 million over 3 years. The 12-institution consortium that negotiated the plan prioritized service and system criteria and solicited bids from long distance carriers. (MSE)

The issues universities must address in developing technology transfer policies and activities are examined, including definition of academic, financial, and economic objectives; identification of available resources; creation of a favorable institutional environment; appropriate arrangements for research administration and industry liaison; and…

College and university professionals in publications and public relations recount how they have effectively coped with significant budgetary setbacks. Strategies include more careful and cost-conscious planning, staff reorganization, and reductions in printing and mailing costs. (MSE)

Suggests the digital revolution in the university and the culture as a whole mandates widespread adoption of technology in all facets of student support services, providing powerful new tools for meeting student needs. Advantages of adopting new technology include speed and accuracy, convenience, efficiency, security, improved evaluation and…