The social sector's hottest "impact investing" product--the social impact bond (SIB)--has generated a range of reactions, from excitement to angst. An SIB uses private funds to pay for a social, educational, or health program, and the government repays investors (plus a return) only if the program achieves prespecified results. The…

This policy profile on education in Austria is part of the "Education Policy Outlook" series, which presents comparative analysis of education policies and reforms across OECD countries. Building on the OECD's substantial comparative and sectoral knowledge base, the series offers a comparative outlook on education policy by providing…

Public investors can lower commissions through investment autonomy, that is, implementing the investment decision process without outside input. Details some techniques for fine-tuning the investment process. (MLF)

Reviews some important aspects of school money management about which Catholic school administrators should be educated. Poses basic management questions (e.g., are deposits made to higher interest accounts, are school bills paid more often than necessary, and are investments handled by financial experts). Discusses investment possibilities for…

Outlines a method of keeping track of cash flow so that a school district can make the most out of its investments. (IRT)

Consumer education teachers can help their students become better investors by providing them with a background in commodity futures. (AG)

The American Council on Education's 2-year process of investigation, study, and selection that resulted in the council's movement from TIAA/CREF as its only available retirement plan, to a total of 15 retirement options offered by two insured annuity companies and two mutual fund companies is described. (MLW)

This "good practice" guide is aimed at anyone in higher education in England who is involved in making decisions on investments. It focuses on the principles to be followed, rather than the techniques of appraisal. The guide outlines the steps for developing an outline business case and then refining it into a full business case for the…

Points out that many state laws allow the investment of student funds such as those for yearbooks and argues that the California code concerning such investments should be the law of the land. Points out how high school publications can earn a large sum of interest by investing properly. (TJ)

Retail repurchase agreements--or "repos"--are a sound investment for school funds, says this superintendent, but they carry an element of risk that shouldn't be ignored. (Author)

Describes how hypothetical data that is pictorially illustrated can be used to explain to secondary and college level students the basic concepts underlying two topics that are central to macro-economic analysis--the simple investment multiplier and credit creation in a multibank system. (RM)

The president of Rio Salado Community College (Arizona) reports both quantitative and qualitative evidence that that institution's investment in Total Quality Management has yielded a variety of benefits including reduced printing costs, increased job satisfaction, and an altered campus culture. (DB)

The difference between cost and market value of endowment investments is significant for many colleges and universities. These investments should always be reported at market value to provide relevant, comparable, consistent, and understandable financial information. Nonmanagement users of institutional financial statements prefer market rather…

Colleges and universities with mounting deficits may be tempted to sell surplus land for profit, but this is never a smart long-term choice. Through joint ventures and innovative financing, institutions can transform such holdings into development projects. In the current economy, there may be increased interest in such sites. (MSE)

Many areas of investing have become so specialized and complex that they need to be addressed by a special effort. Chief financial officers must evaluate whether that effort can be delivered by internal staff or whether an outside contractor is appropriate. Diagnostic questions for making that determination are offered. (MSE)