Deep penetration of personal computers, data communication networks, and the Internet has created a massive platform for data collection, dissemination, storage, and retrieval. Large amounts of textual data are now available at a very low cost. Valuable information, such as consumer preferences, new product developments, trends, and opportunities,…

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are…

Two purposes for early childhood assessment systems are informing program development and providing accountability. Based on findings from a case study of a local Head Start program implementing the National Reporting System (NRS) in 2004-2005, we provide 5 lessons learned from experiences with the NRS that may have implications for other…

Main objectives of human resource accounting systems are to satisfy the informational demands made by investors and by operating managers. The paper's main concern is with the internal uses of a human asset system. (Author)

This paper reports a procedure used for the design of management information systems at the school board level. It was developed in cooperation with two Ontario boards--a large board with access to computer facilities and a small board with a manual record-keeping system. (Author/IRT)

The University of Wageningen takes care of only one faculty with 80 departments and about 4000 students. The university has been growing rapidly in recent years with an increase of 25 percent in first year students each year. Because of this growth and because of various social developments, the University Board recognizes the need for a good data…

During the past several years a number of studies and subsequent reports have been issued which addressed specific needs in the area of management for schools in the District of Columbia. All of the reports cited here--the Passow, Nelsen Committee, Price-Waterhouse, and Management Review Reports--identified areas of deficiency in the managerial…

An educational management information system is a network of communication channels, information sources, computer storage and retrieval devices, and processing routines that provide data to educational managers at different levels, places, and times to facilitate decisionmaking. Management information systems should be differentiated from…

Comprehensive planning is seen as an ongoing, dynamic process through which decisions about future courses of action concerning the academic, physical, and financial condition of an institution are prepared for and made. Its relationship to information systems, planning staff, administration, and outcomes are discussed. (LBH)

Describes features of existing software packages for circulation control (borrower and item files, data capture and verification, issue, return, renewal, loan conditions, reservations, overdues, updating, and management information), and serials control (ordering, recording receipt, reader access, binding and financial control, listings, and…

For the past six years, Los Angeles County Office of Education (California) has used a state-of-the-art computerized transportation management system that produces $2 million annual net savings and provides prompt, accurate bus service for students, parents, and teachers. This article details routing and scheduling programs used. Includes seven…

Describes the design of a management information system that has demonstrated efficacy in the operation of a research project in an educational environment. The four stages in the design of this system were information collection, information organization, information analysis, and information reporting. (RAO)

Providing accurate and useful information on student achievement is a rising challenge for state educational agencies. With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, such challenges have become more pressing. A centerpiece of the educational accountability movement, NCLB has prompted states to improve their reporting on student…

Fostering data-driven decision-making is not an easy task, nor is getting busy people's attention in this age of information overload. How we write about and disseminate our findings can help. Writing to the audience, timing, formatting, choice of medium, and connecting results to institutional goals and current, even controversial, issues are…

Preparing for every possible contingency seems daunting, but with teamwork and some help from the government, it's almost do-able. There is a great system out there that will help business professionals and educators develop a strong, effective emergency preparedness plan. If they haven't done a good job of implementing a solid emergency response…