The Critical Importance of Costs for Education Decisions

Title:	The Critical Importance of Costs for Education Decisions
Description:	This brief provides guidance to decision makers in schools, districts, state education departments, and intermediary organizations about ways that cost analyses can help inform their decisions about program choices, budgets, and strategies. It addresses questions about: (1) why cost information matters in education; (2) what cost metrics are available to inform decision making; (3) how cost analyses can inform decision making; (4) what resources exist to help calculate the costs of education programs; and (5) what types and uses of cost analysis are available for decision making. Finally, the brief discusses the purposes, advantages, disadvantages, and possible applications for four types of cost analyses.
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the report as a pdf file. (1.9MB)
Cover Date:	June 2017
Web Release:	June 20, 2017
Print Release:	June 20, 2017
Publication #:	REL 2017274 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	REL
Associated Centers:	NCEE
Authors:	Fiona M. Hollands and Henry M. Levin: Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
Type of Product:	Technical Brief
Keywords:	Cost of Education Indices Schools • School districts spending
Questions:	For questions about the content of this Technical Brief, please contact: Amy Johnson.