Leading economic indicators

When the Poway Unified School District near San Diego cut teachers' printing budgets this year, some handoutintensive instructors had to dip into their own pockets to keep their students supplied. Calculus teacher Tom Farber decided in September to sell ad space on page one of his exams, at $10 for a quiz and up to $30 on the semester final. As of November, he told the San Diego Union- Tribune, only parent-sponsored inspirational messages have been bought, but he said he would welcome certain retailers' ads.