Cost data were analyzed for individualized models implemented at five rehabilitation agencies serving Canadian adults with mental handicaps. The analysis examined such items as average cost per client, ratios of clients to training staff, and amount of time training staff spent with clients. (JDD)

Describes the perceived obstacles to library networks use reported by respondents to a survey of special librarians. The discussion covers the need for special librarians to be actively involved in network planning and governance, and for the Special Libraries Association to take a more active role in networking issues. (nine references) (CLB)

Insists that too many marginal students are wrongly classified and segregated from regular education programs. Special education classification programs have many problems, such as lack of validity and reliability, invidious causes, and inescapable isolation. Vast sums are spent without providing institutional benefits to children. Includes 17…

Defends residential adult education in the wake of the prospect that the Secretary of State for Scotland is to withdraw funding for Newbattle Abbey, the only long-term adult residential college in Scotland. (JOW)

This article describes an approach to substantiate the premise that good sanitation has economic benefits. It details the results of a research study conducted to measure the cost effectiveness of good sanitation in a retail food store meat department and found a 5.3% decrease in product reprocessing loss. (LZ)

Presents a fundamental model for designing an evaluation process for the effectiveness of training. Topics include training as a process rather than a program; monitoring effectiveness prior to, during, and after the training event, including feedback; and evaluating cost effectiveness. (LRW)

Discusses new interactive training technologies; considers risks of adopting a new technology; and presents the conceptual framework of technology life cycle analysis that provides timing information for the adoption of a new technology that should be used in addition to cost-benefit analysis and technical analysis. (LRW)

The Cobb County (Georgia) School District, which transports 61,000 students to 88 schools on 763 buses daily, avidly studied privatization possibilities. Since the bus fleet is relatively new and drivers' wages compare favorably with metropolitan Atlanta's, the district concluded it could transport students better and more cheaply. A sidebar lists…

Today's schools are too big. If smaller schools and classroom settings are beneficial and less costly, why do we continue to operate and build large schools? Perhaps committing to smaller schools would require us to rethink the leadership, management, and organization theories that dominate school administration. Authority should be vested in…

A total of 1,446 elementary school children were screened with the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) procedure. Results indicated that the SSBD could accurately and efficiently identify children in need of special services, and was viewed as cost efficient because it could proactively screen all students in an acceptable amount of…

Compares traditional manure application planning techniques calculated to meet agronomic nutrient needs on a field-by-field basis with plans developed using computer-assisted linear programming optimization methods. Linear programming provided the most economical and environmentally sound manure application strategy. (Contains 15 references.) (MDH)

Considers the appropriateness of using CD-ROM versus online systems. Topics discussed include cost effectiveness; how current the information is; full-text capabilities; a variety of interfaces; graphical user interfaces on CD-ROM; and possibilities for image representations. (LRW)

Discusses the difficulties inherent in the legal system for resolving child protection disputes, and advances a model for the mediation of such cases. Reviews the use and cost effectiveness of the model. (MDM)

Systematic empirical research is used to investigate the feasibility of using socioeconomic status (SES) ratings by school principals as an alternative to more costly SES measures. Studies with 85 principals and 19 central office administrators support the approach as a credible proxy measure of SES. (SLD)

Examines the effectiveness of an installation guide for an online help computer software product. Finds that customers thought the guide was clear and easy to understand and reduced the need to call the help desk. Notes that customers who said that they were calling less had in fact reduced their help calls by 80%. (RS)