This paper uses both the stochastic and nonstochastic production function approach to measure technical efficiency in public education in Utah. The stochastic specification estimates technical efficiency, assuming half normal and exponential distributions. The nonstochastic specification uses two-stage DEA to separate the effects of fixed inputs on the measure of technical efficiency. The empirical analysis shows substantial variation in efficiency among school districts. While these measures are insensitive to the specific distributional assumptions about the one-sided component of the error term in stochastic specification, they are sensitive to the treatment of fixed socioeconomic inputs in the two-stage DEA.

This paper uses both the stochastic and nonstochastic production function approach to measure technical efficiency in public education in Utah. The stochastic specification estimates technical efficiency assuming half normal and exponential distributions. The nonstochastic specification uses two‐stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) to separate the effects of fixed inputs on the measure of technical efficiency. The empirical analysis shows substantial variation in efficiency among school districts. Although these measures are insensitive to the specific distributional assumptions about the one‐sided component of the error term in the stochastic specification, they are sensitive to the treatment of fixed socioeconomic inputs in the two‐stage DEA.

The Canadian Forces (CF), concerned with the possible adverse effects of obesity on military performance and image, recently adopted the body mass index (BMI) to monitor excess weight among its personnel. Subsequently, the records of 17,098 CF men (32.0 +/- 8 years) and 2,087 CF women (26.2 +/- 5 years) were examined. Approximately 50% of the men and 25% of the women had a BMI greater than 25 kg/m2, while 26% of the men and 12% of the women had a BMI greater than 27 kg/m2. Except for grip strength, both men and women in higher BMI zones typically demonstrated significantly lower fitness and performance scores than those in lower BMI zones. For men and women, increasing BMI was associated with progressive and significant increases in body weight, chest girth, waist girth, gluteal girth, thigh girth, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio, and decreases in difference between chest-minus-waist girths. Waist girth increased proportionately more than other circumferences with increasing BMI, thus indicating a greater relative deposition of body fat in the abdominal region. In view of the relationship between high BMI and compromised fitness, appearance, and health observed in this population, the CF would benefit from continued educational and clinical efforts to reduce the prevalence of obesity. The BMI would serve as a useful epidemiologic standard to help monitor progress in these areas.

The authors conducted a two-stage survey of community economic development professionals in Utah. Their objectives were to elicit information about three components of local development effort and to assess the success of differential strategies for development. Emphasis was given to the differential ratings of tools and programs by officials in large urban areas and those in smaller cities. The authors found that labor force quality, proximity to highways, the availability of other transport systems (e.g., commercial airports), the costs of energy and water, and the quality of local schools were important components of an effective development environment. But on the negative side, the survey also found a general lack of coordination among the various units of government and a lack of interest in or commitment to local development among business leaders.

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