Critiques Michael Staten and John Umbeck's article ("Journal of Economic Education," Winter 1989) on the concept of inefficiency in applied economic analysis. Suggests the Staten-Umbeck article is useful in forcing a precise analysis of the exercise of welfare economics. Concludes that the term efficient is semantic and provides an…

Examined how the price of child care affects welfare recipients' paid work behavior according to past studies. Analyzed the relationship between child care prices and hours of paid work for recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The complex nature of AFDC child care regulations is taken into account in the context of a…

Twenty agricultural education experts identified research topics and categories, which were then rated by 34 research experts (92 percent) and 49 department heads (79 percent). Highest ratings went to biotechnology, high technology, and agribusiness; agricultural education curriculum; and long-term impact and cost effectiveness of agricultural…

Whittle Communications, Inc. plans to launch a nationwide chain of private, for-profit schools and sell its proprietary educational products, instructional technology, and management services to school boards. Whittle schools will enroll children aged 3 months to 18 years, schedule hours coinciding with parents' working days, and operate…

One process for developing a training program on a limited budget involves the creation of job competency profiles using a modified DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) technique, the identification and development of job aids, and the use of the profiles and job aids to deliver training. (JOW)

A Louisiana school district has made tremendous progress toward developing and implementing an environmentally friendly solid waste management program. Packaging changes in school food service, newspaper and aluminum can recycling, and composting of leaf and yard waste have contributed to reduced waste sent to the local landfill. (MLF)

Interventions aimed at physicians' practice setting or reimbursement policy are more likely to effect change than those aimed at changing knowledge or skill, because of their greater relevance and opportunities for practice and feedback. Interventions should consider attitudes, abilities, and economic disincentives. (SK)

Examines the state of children's book publishing with an emphasis on marketing, arguing that profitability is the main concern of top management. The acception/rejection process is discussed, as well as the close contact between bookstore chains and juvenile marketing staffs. Considers targeting new markets and children's book publishing in other…

Presents two interviews in which university facilities managers discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing. Outsourcing is presented as one way to cut costs, but one expert warns that administrators may mistakenly use outsourcing as a temporary solution that entails few savings. Describes some of the reasons behind outsourcing and the challenges it…

Proposes a framework utilizing feature and functionality appraisal and quantitative and qualitative techniques to allow systematic evaluation of different Internet telephony systems. Techniques include voice process evaluation through signal reproduction, Diagnostic Rhyme Test, Diagnostic Acceptability Measure, Degradation Category Rating, and…

Presents components of human resource accounting (HRA)--description of human resource costs, estimation of return on investment, estimation of human resource values. Reviews research on the influence of HRA on decision making, concluding that a number of factors inhibit its effective use. (SK)

States that cost-control and efficiency initiatives will continue to be directed at higher education. Suggests that rather than focusing on technology it might be wiser to focus on attaining the highest standards in teaching, innovative learning opportunities, academic advising, and student-development services throughout the nation's colleges and…

Discusses the tradeoff of speed and movability versus costs when using relocatable buildings to solve educational space needs. Concluding comments address building-code compliance issues driving up expenses and impacting facility planning.(GR)

Describes an integrated counseling model that combines both solution-focused and cost-benefit counseling techniques. The model was designed to be used with college students who abuse alcohol. (Author/MKA)

Discussion of distance education evaluation focuses on the differences between delivery technology and instructional technology. Offers brief descriptions of evaluation plans, questions, and examples associated with each type of technology and discusses issues related to the cost effectiveness evaluation of distance education. (Contains 50…