Focuses upon developmental perspectives and problems in improving program effectiveness, cost efficiency, and management performance for vocational education. Means for analyzing and improving the cost-effectiveness of vocational programs are discussed. (Author/RAO)

Points out some of the advantages of dictation equipment (both to the firm and the writer), pinpoints some of the most common problems, and supplies information to help solve the problems. (Author/IRT)

Discusses factors involved in costing and evaluating electronic security systems for libraries including equipment costs, installation and maintenance, labor costs, staff training, public relations, and comparison of systems. Assessing book losses and potential savings from a security system are also addressed. (RAO)

The relationship between the cost of an innovation and the extent of its adoption is a complex one. Worthwhile innovations need not be prohibitively expensive. (BD)

NT OpenGL hardware allows modelers and animators to work at relatively inexpensive NT workstations in their own offices or homes previous to shared space and workstation time in expensive studios. Rates seven OpenGL boards and two QuickDraw 3D accelerator boards for Mac users on overall value, wireframe and texture rendering, 2D acceleration, and…

Describes benefits of West Allegheny (Pennsylvania) School District's decision to outsource the management of its technology services. Benefits include improved efficiency, increased technical expertise, cost-effectiveness, personnel stability, and organizational focus. Lists important points to consider when selecting an outsourcing firm. (PKP)

Provides an overview of cost-effectiveness analysis. Includes example of cost-effectiveness analysis of three literacy programs to help illustrate basic concepts. (PKP)

Discusses the benefits of a preventive maintenance program for a school's building envelope, especially roofing, including avoiding a crisis-management mentality and gaining greater control over time and finances. (EV)

Analyzes cost and benefits of No Child Left Behind Act based on projected costs for 10 states. Finds that state and federal funding falls far short of that required to make No Child Left Behind a reality. (Contains 43 references.) (PKP)

Describes a cost-effective way to create an effective simulation for students that teaches them how personal computers are used in the workplace. (JOW)

Assessed amount of cost-saving represented by the use of volunteer services within a probation and parole agency for a 12-month period. Results indicated that volunteer services represented cost savings in excess of $145,000 for the year, and that these services represent an average of 6.33 full time employees (FTEs) per month. (Author)

Looks at the pros and cons of training consortia. Suggests that they can be a cost-effective training strategy, especially for small companies. Describes three categories of consortia: private for-profit, private nonprofit, and public sector. (JOW)

Discusses the merits and methods of downsizing, the process of eliminating unnecessary costs and unprofitable operations from an organization, and examines commonly used, effective strategies that will minimize the hardship on both employers and employees. (JOW)

Discusses strategies for providing students with current computer software technology including acquiring previous versions of software, obtaining demonstration software, using student versions, getting examination software, buying from mail order firms, buying few copies, exploring site licenses, acquiring shareware or freeware, and applying for…

Responses from 26 of 40 editors of electronic journals indicates that 57% were motivated to go online by creative possibilities; only 42% had existing print-journal counterparts; 34.6% felt they reach a broader or different audience online; and 50% felt online journals were less costly and had the advantage of speed of production. (SK)