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Collaboration between a public affairs faculty member and an instructional developer resulted in design of a learner-centered large lecture course. Evaluation after three years revealed which elements of the course format generated the most student interest and, in some cases, changed attitudes about learning in college. Suggestions are made for further course changes based on analysis of student feedback. (Author/MSE)

In general, this survey of six midwest states revealed that health insurance plans for state government employees have moved toward employer funding, comprehensive benefits, and some recognition of the advantages of prepaid group practice plans. (Author/IRT)

Flexible work schedules (flexitime) which allow an employee some degree of freedom to select starting and quitting times are beginning to gain popularity in the public sector. Recent legislation is an indication of this growing interest. With the Federal Employees Flexible and Compressed Work Schedules Act of 1978, federal agencies are now permitted to experiment with alternate work schedules such as flexitime. This article discusses the benefits, problems, and main issues that are involved in the use of flexitime by government agencies and its implications for labor relations. As flexitime has only recently been introduced into the public sector, much of the information is taken from private sector experience. Flexitime usually consists of a core time (a time during which all employees are to be present, excluding lunch time) and a flexible band (flexible hours) which are determined by the employee. In most situations, experience with the flexitime system indicates that the greater the degree of flexibility, the greater the benefits.