Provides a taxonomy of cost containment actions for use in response to budget crises where revenues fall short of expenditures. Indicates four levels of actions: tactical temporary and tactical permanent, which have low to moderate impact on school operations; and strategic temporary and strategic permanent, which have moderate to high impact. (13…

Four kinds of evidence demonstrating substantial social benefits resulting from public expenditures on higher education are discussed: (1) social rates of return; (2) nonmonetary benefits; (3) local economic activity; and (4) national economic growth. A recent study of the effect of investment in higher education on workforce productivity is…

School districts need a strategic, comprehensive, electronic data processing resources plan that would include the following major elements: (1) systems; (2) hardware; (3) software; (4) staffing; (5) control; and (6) projected budgets. (MLF)

Techniques of cost-effectiveness analysis and their applications to educational policy are discussed. Recommendations are made to increase the capacity of evaluators, policy analysts, and decision makers to use these tools appropriately for resource allocation. (SLD)

Investments in instructional information technologies must be a part of and reflect the direction and values of the institution's academic program. The course-by-course method of justification provides a sound planning tool, complete with requisite budgetary and staffing projections. (MLW)

Argues that decreasing participation in accreditation will not necessarily realize financial gains for colleges, since other methods of remaining accountable will take its place. Proposes ways to reduce accreditation's real costs while preserving its traditional benefits of self-examination, external scrutiny, and participatory membership. (MAB)

The place of peer review in the process by which the Australian Research Council allocates funds under the Large Grants Scheme, the primary funding source for basic research, is examined. Validity and reliability of peer review, the decision-making process, and cost effectiveness of the procedures are considered. (MSE)

Assesses effects of five large city school districts' fiscal dependence on educational spending in New York State. Results suggest that spending levels may be systematically lower in fiscally dependent districts. Recommends re-aligning resource allocation and school governance responsibilities and using matching grants to reduce spending…

The Institute of Correspondence Education (ICE) of the University of Madras (India) is highly cost-effective when compared to the conventional system. The fact that a major portion of the cost is recoverable in student fees makes the ICE system more economical; however, the requisite level of resources has not been allocated for student-support…

Examines distance education's efficacy in nine New York school districts affiliated with Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Distance education enables small rural schools to expand their curriculum. Districts vary in utilizing distance education. Distance-education courses cost considerably more to offer than traditional courses.…

For the past two decades, economic influences have significantly impacted the provision of health and welfare services for children, young people and their families in communities around the world. The dynamic of cost has reshaped both the nature and provision of group care services, promoting de-institutionalization and transforming the nature of…

A reflection and training workshop held in Accra (Ghana) brought together African university presidents, vice-chancellors, rectors, and top-level administrators to discuss three themes: first, the nature and functions of higher education institutions; second, leadership and organization of the higher education institution; and, third, resource…

A conceptual framework is developed for analyzing the costs of alternative assessment instruments. The framework will be used in future analyses by the Center for the Study of Evaluation to determine the costs of alternative assessment programs in a number of states. It is important that a distinction be made between costs and expenditures. Costs…

Americans are solemn about schooling but seldom serious. School reformers routinely announce lofty goals but they seldom offer resources. These goals are counterproductive because expectations are created with little or no possibility of realization. Certainly, nonschool factors are relevant to educational reform, which cannot be properly planned…

The book proposes ways in which programs for gifted and handicapped students can be managed to make the best use of resources. An initial section provides guidelines for administrators who manage gifted programing. Guidelines touch upon the following topics: analysis of current efforts, assessment of staff and program needs, student identification…