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1 For the following interventions, describe how you would determine whether formal cost analysis is worthwhile.The education department in a particular state has mandated that school districts implement a specific math curriculum, including textbooks, teacher training, computer software, and other materials.A team of second-grade teachers approached their principal with a proposal to spend 10 minutes each morning performing mindfulness exercises with the students to help reduce stress, increase focus, and increase learning throughout the day.A community college is considering expanding its online education program to offer a wider range of courses and possibly even full degree programs.

2 For each of the following situations, determine which types of analysis (CE, BC, CU, cost, or CF) are most appropriate:A school district wishes to increase the employability of students who terminate their formal education at high school graduation. Accordingly, it seeks an answer to the question of whether it should expand vocational educational offerings for students who are presently in the general education program.The school board wishes to accommodate budget cuts by reducing some of the elective course offerings in the high school. A reduction in the budget of $60,000 has been targeted.A university must decide if it is desirable to establish a new online degree program.The state legislature wishes to consider the introduction of tablet computers into every high school in the state. However, it is not clear that the school budget is adequate.A school district is seeking approaches to improve students’ writing skills. Proposed solutions include (a) having smaller class sizes with more stress on writing and more writing assignments, (b) hiring college students with excellent writing skills to assist teachers in grading writing assignments, and (c) developing special writing courses for students in addition to their regular English classes.A community college must reduce its course offerings in the next academic year to accommodate a dismal budgetary situation. The college offers more than 1,400 courses in some 38 departments and programs. Enough courses must be cut to achieve savings of $500,000.Both computer-assisted instruction and smaller class sizes are being discussed as ways to improve the mathematics competencies of youngsters in a particular school district. The administration wishes to ascertain which alternative is preferable.

3 Identify a potential problem associated with each of the following five situations. Describe at least two alternatives that might be considered for addressing each problem. Suggest the hypothetical primary and secondary audiences for the evaluations that would follow in each of the five cases. What types of analysis would seem appropriate for each?Student test scores at the high school level have been declining for the past 5 years.The physics department of a college is having little success in placing its graduates.A school district faces an anticipated budget deficit for the next year of $200,000.A university wishes to consider replacing its computer servers and data management system.Local residents are unhappy that there is no college in their town.