A matrix approach can solve the problem of identifying quality technical education programs. This method focuses on the end products of the program rather than on the educational process itself. Educators must use their professional competencies to judge program quality based on follow-up data and costs per pupil per program. (CT)

At the first annual Office Automation Conference, the consensus was that personnel involvement in the development of office automation is vital if the new technology is to be successfully deployed. This report explores the problems inherent in office automation and provides a broad overview of the subject. (CT)

The activities covered in this article are designed to introduce students to photography in a short time span, on a limited budget. Thus, each activity has primary photo exercises and is intended to relate to the next by acting as a foundation experience. (Author)

Explores a social marketing system approach which provides a useful structure in which to analyze the dynamics of the field of adult education. Examines micromarketing, macromarketing, social marketing, adult learner goals, society's goals, funding, and philosophical implications for adult education. (CT)

Two parents of handicapped children and two special educators respond to a paper by H. D. Bud Fredericks et al. concerning reasonable costs and ways to reduce expenditures in special education through such ways as using paraprofessionals and providing specialized services by a consultant working with the teacher. (CL)

A system developed at the College of William and Mary that attributes all expenditures to the specific fund-raising programs for which they were incurred is described. It is suggested that this system can be utilized by other colleges and universities to determine the actual costs of operating these programs. (Author/SF)

Reviews the guidelines established by the College Outcome Measures Project with regard to evaluating general education programs in areas of (1) identifying knowledge and skill areas, (2) measuring abilities, (3) insuring fairness, (4) gaining cooperation with other institutions, and (5) reducing costs. (AYC)

Carnegie-Mellon University has experienced 20 percent more computing power each year for the same percentage of the University budget. A planning strategy is described to optimize this opportunity. (Author/MK)

Efforts of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst illustrate the use of cost information in decision-making. The Instructional Cost Index can be used to determine the unit costs of instruction and, combined with information from an induced course load matrix system, can provide data on the costs of programs. (LBH)

Similarities are drawn between trends in climbing costs for medical care and higher education. Possible effects of a prospective payment system for higher education are discussed. Colleges and universities are encouraged to retain the public trust by holding to their primary educational mission. (DB)

Findings from a 3-year study of 33 urban special education programs reveal the following: (1) enrollments are stable; (2) costs are not spiraling; (3) improper referrals have decreased; and (4) few parents are complaining. Offers 4 suggestions to improve special education programs. (MLF)

Thirty-five training managers in central Ohio were interviewed about their use of cost-benefit analysis. Incentives for its use are justifying and marketing training programs, acquiring resources, setting priorities, and increasing management support. Disadvantages include difficulty of quantifying training effects, subjectivity, cost, and…

Child care programs serving children with disabilities should balance high quality care for children, affordable fees to parents, and fair wages for staff. A chart detailing child-to-staff ratios in day care centers and number of children allowed in family day care by state is included. (DB)

Presents eight tips for speaking out to legislators on the child care staffing crisis. (BB)

The adult problems of overweight, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes are shared by the youth of our nation. Currently, corporations are providing assistance to national organizations in an effort to reverse this trend. A sampling of the array of support services the corporate sector supplies is presented. (JD)