The Antioch Unified School District is one of several California schools testing a version of the Nutrient Standard Menu Planning (NSMP) to meet the new rules that require all schools to reduce the fat content of meals. NSMP, presently implemented at the elementary level, has increased flexibility in menu planning and led to better management and…

Reports internal rates of return (IRORs) to college education based on the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. IROR declined from 1969 to 1974 but by 1978, approached the 1969 level. From 1978 to 1982, IROR either increased or slightly decreased. From 1982 to 1985, IROR remained essentially unchanged, according to one measure, or increased…

Although postsecondary correctional education (PSCE) programs are available in most state and federal prisons, some taxpayers object to such "largesse" in the face of increasing higher education costs. This article addresses the most common objections to PSCE programming, refutes those arguments, and demonstrates the wide-ranging positive results,…

Before signing on with a private firm to manage schools, school boards should consider whether privatization will save the school district and the taxpayers money, lessen bureaucracy, and lead to higher test scores or other objective measures of improvement. In addition, boards should ask whether the proposal is free of bias and whether the…

In Antelope Valley, California, a regional transportation consortium, cooperatively run by six adjacent school districts, is operating an electric-powered school bus as a pilot project. Although the prototype bus cost nearly six times more than a traditional school bus, lower operating and maintenance expenses and safety factors appeal to many…

Argues that the textbook presentation of the concept of natural monopolies has changed little since the early 1960s. Suggests that most economics textbooks have ignored the issue of economies of scale versus fixed costs. Notes that educators often discuss economies of scale without explaining why certain industries enjoy greater scale economies…

Fixed-effect estimates of the impact of vocational rehabilitation on longitudinal earnings were determined for vocational rehabilitation clients with disabilities and a comparison group who dropped out prior to rehabilitation. Women experienced significant earnings increases, despite fairly comparable rehabilitation costs. (SK)

Describes selecting and installing a computerized point of sale for a district food service program; the equipment needed and preferred; and the training of trainers, managers, and cashiers. Also discusses the direct benefits and side benefits of the system. (MLF)

Changes in the marketing and management of a Pennsylvania food service program made it more attractive to students. An increase in student participation and operational efficiency yielded profitability in food service operations. (MLF)

By relying on new computer hardware and software, school food service departments can keep better records of daily food consumption, free and reduced-price meals, inventory, production, and other essentials. The most commonly used systems fall into two basic categories: point-of-sale computers and behind-the-counter systems. State funding efforts…

An effective way to increase electricity energy savings for school districts is to integrate rate case participation (rate reduction) with conservation and load-management efforts (rebates) and retrofit operations, to obtain a total energy cost reduction package. Describes how a Pennsylvania consortium of school districts saved its member…

Zero-based, programmatic budgeting involves four basic steps: (1) define what needs to be done; (2) specify the resources required; (3) determine the assessment procedures and standards to use in evaluating the effectiveness of various programs; and (4) assign dollar figures to this information. (MLF)

Examines the performance of local education authorities in England, using data for a sample of 57 (out of 96) authorities for the period 1980-81 to 1984-85. Uses frontier estimation to estimate a cost frontier, finding efficiency level sensitive to the method used. Calculates costs to be between 4 percent and 16 percent above their frontier level.…

Before committing to the expense of consultancy, the college administrator needs to consider several basic questions: "what is the problem?" and "what is keeping the staff from solving the problem?" Certain kinds of problems are more likely than others to benefit from consultant expertise. (MSE)

Discusses the cost of constructing a hypertext database and suggests cost forecasting approaches that can be used to determine whether organizations can internally fund a hypertext database, or whether producers can afford to market hypertext databases. Production costs in differing hypertext strategies are also compared. (27 references) (LRW)