The Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Guiding Investments in Human Capital in Elementary and Secondary School

Penn collection
Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education
Degree type
Discipline
Subject
Returns to Education
Benefit-Cost
Economics
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Education Economics
Funder
Grant number
License
Copyright date
Distributor
Author
Belfield, Clive R
Contributor
Abstract

This report reviews the literature on cost–benefit analysis of elementary and secondary school investments. A range of investments are considered: policies such as improving teacher quality, reducing class and school size; programs such as pre-school, Head Start, grade retention, and other specific interventions; and reforms, such as school choice, accountability, and whole-school reform. With the exception of pre-school, the economic evidence is extremely thin, with almost no cost–benefit ratios. Areas that may offer potential for further inquiry are teacher productivity, special education, and the educational needs of immigrant students. Economic analysis can be valuable in clarifying where investments in education should be made.

Advisor
Date Range for Data Collection (Start Date)
Date Range for Data Collection (End Date)
Digital Object Identifier
Series name and number
Publication date
2006-08-01
Volume number
Issue number
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Journal Issue
Comments
Recommended citation
Collection