Researchers have long searched for a relationship between school resources and student achievement. The search for this relationship has relied heavily on the use of education production functions. Despite years of research on this topic, there has been little agreement concerning which resources are the most essential variables to increase…

When the Department of Education released the first-year results for the Academic Competitiveness and National Smart Grant programs, it tried to put a positive spin on its disappointing numbers. There seemed no getting around this fact: The 2006-2007 participation rates for the two new grant programs, which supplement Pell Grants for low-income…

This paper argues that the rule-making function of institutions introduces an information distortion into markets--economic, political, and cultural--that changes the rational pattern of resource allocation. As markets expand, this distortion raises the price of individual talent and skill development in production. It leads to a public-private…

This article looks at ways to ensure client quality in continuing education part-time programs. It identifies the stakeholders involved in these programs as the instructor, the student, the college, and the employer. It then addresses methods of feedback to close the quality loop thus ensuring alignment of outcomes for all stakeholders. It was…

Higher education employees often participate in university-sponsored defined contribution pension plans that place the investment decision responsibility upon them. In order to examine investment decision-making behavior with retirement savings plans we investigated attitude-mediated, individual difference determinants of risky decision-making…

The goals and procedures of front-end analysis are described and a number of examples are cited. (Author)

A general model for program evaluation that incorporates the resource allocation paradigm is described in detail, and a schematic representation of the model is provided. (Author)

When applied to elementary and secondary schools, the Resource Requirements Prediction Model gained more acceptance at the system level than at the school level. Further research is required to construct a resource model that is specifically for use in schools. (Author/IRT)

The paper offers some basic information for making decisions about allocating and accounting for resources provided to young handicapped children. Sections address the following topics: reasons for costing, audiences for cost accounting and accountability information, and a process for cost accounting and accountability (defining cost categories,…

To ensure optimum utilization of filmmaking resources, the manager of an inhouse film unit should: (1) develop a broad perspective of his duties; (2) select personnel compatible with the goals of the organization, taking special care in choosing the film designer; (3) set time schedules which permit quality production; (4) arrange appropriate…

This document presents an application of cost-benefit analysis to a hypothetical university parking problem. After discussing cost-benefit analysis in general, the document applies this technique to hypothetical data in light of a checklist for general cost-benefit procedure. The checklist includes the following steps: (1) examine and quantify…

The primary objectives of this postdoctoral research program of Austin D. Swanson were to develop an understanding of economic analysis techniques and to appraise their usefulness in solving educational problems, especially those of resource allocation. Secondary objectives included becoming familiar with the analytical techniques used by…

This report was a part of the Human Effectiveness Function Allocation Methodology (HEFAM) project, which is attempting to develop a workable cost-effectiveness methodology for man-machine function allocation. Researchers reviewed the cost-effectiveness and function allocation literature, and interviewed engineers, data analysts, programers,…

This is a collection of 16 articles on zero-based budgeting (ZBB), dealing primarily with the practice as it occurs in the states. Included is a lengthy report on ZBB practices in the states based on a survey conducted by the National Association of State Budget Officers and the Congressional Research Service. (IRT)

The United Way is one of Atlanta's major charitable organizations. In this paper the operation of the organization is analyzed, and its financial and programmatic relationships to Atlanta's increasing black populace are examined. (Author/GC)