Large central databases which support multicampus users require thorough planning and coordination, special communication with both users and input sources, and organized retrieval systems. In the developmental process of identifying variables that should be in the system and designating the source of that data, old habits of multiple official…

Reports findings of a study that examined the administrative use of computer-based information systems for decision making at Harvard and a variety of other institutions. Recommends a plan for developing systems based on the executive's needs and for a program to train administrators who act as interpreters of information. (JT)

Although effective schools research argues that careful monitoring, analysis, and discussion of student progress and program quality are central to improving education, educators' efforts are limited by the dispersion of student data throughout district files. The Instructional Decision Support System, used in a cooperative venture involving the…

Perspectives on facilitating the use of quantitative tools in higher education decision-making are offered. Suggestions are directed to those in the institution who will be working with decision-makers, with a focus on how such individuals can assist the decision-maker in the development and use of computer-based tools. The instigators of computer…

Issues and strategies for developing a campus data communications system are discussed. It is suggested that individual microcomputer (MC) workstations will occasionally have a need for (1) access, via a data communications network, to a more powerful processor; (2) specialized software; (3) sophisticated output devices; (4) central data sets; or…

The evolution of computer hardware for college computing has mirrored the industry's growth. When computers were introduced into the educational environment, they had limited capacity and served one user at a time. Then came large mainframes with many terminals sharing the resource. Next, the use of computers in office automation emerged. As…

Curriculum administration and evaluation require specific information on such curriculum components as content, time, teaching methodology, materials, evaluation, and scheduling. Without such information, planning, coordination, resources allocation, and other decision-making activities are severely handicapped. Furthermore, evaluation of the…

Describes and evaluates a circuitless flow model for forecasting future student attributes and enrollment projections, compared with a simple Markov chain model. Data from a study of secondary students are used to illustrate the analytical methodologies and to contrast results of the Markov chain and circuitless flow models. (JG)

The applications of a recently developed computer program for microcomputers in developing models in an institutional research environment are considered. The VISICALC program requires no user programming skills, is available for all major brands of microcomputers, and provides for easy exchange of information between users of different computing…

The project was designed to investigate sources of available data on the incidence, prevalence, diagnostic conditions, functional limitations, and activity restrictions of the disabled population in the United States, and to design a comprehensive data system. Difficulties, both conceptual and practical in estimating incidence and prevalence are…

Conducted to design software partitioning techniques for use by the Air Force to partition a large flight simulator program for optimal execution on alternative configurations, this study resulted in a mathematical model which defines characteristics for an optimal partition, and a manually demonstrated partitioning algorithm design which…

The basic principles of market analysis are examined in this paper especially as they relate to institutional planning. Introductory material presents background information, including: (1) a description of two projects undertaken to implement modern management techniques at small colleges; (2) an examination of three marketing philosophies; and…

The report describes Project Zero Reject, a cooperative effort between the Dallas (TX) Independent School District and the Dallas County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center to locate handicapped children not receiving educational services and to develop a computerized information system for planning regarding these children. Awareness efforts…

An example of the application of microcomputers to education, described in this paper, indicates the possibilities for their widespread use. Forecasters claim that microcomputers will be acquired by more and more individuals and families in the 1980s. This implies that schools will also make greater use of microcomputers, in computer-assisted…

The concept of Zero-Base Budgeting (ZBB) is discussed in terms of its application, advantages, disadvantages, and implementation in an effective planning, management, and evaluation (PME) system. A ZBB system requires administrators to: review all programs and expenditures annually, set clear cut goals, and analyze all possible alternatives for…