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Assessing potential improvement in education: Unravelling pupils' and schools’ inefficiencies using a multi-level metafrontier approach

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  • Azar, Paola
  • Sicilia, Gabriela

Abstract

How relevant is a better use of schooling resources to improve learning outcomes? Though the optimal management of public funding is always desirable, achievement improvement might also depend on student and school level factors beyond efficiency. Using data from public primary schools in Uruguay, we discuss the role of the school efficiency gains in the potential attainment improvement of pupils. Our empirical approach resorts to a multilevel metafrontier model based on non-parametric methods to identify the sources of pupils' under-attainment. The results reveal that pure school inefficiencies per se are hardly relevant to enhance students’ performance while the effect of school resources is still sizable. We also find that school-level efficiency gaps affect the most disadvantaged students and school-types within the public system. The research highlights the importance of correctly assessing the range and roots of potential improvement from schooling efficiency policies, particularly in contexts characterized by scarcity of resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Azar, Paola & Sicilia, Gabriela, 2023. "Assessing potential improvement in education: Unravelling pupils' and schools’ inefficiencies using a multi-level metafrontier approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:118:y:2023:i:c:s0264999322003479
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2022.106110
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    1. Capasso, Salvatore & Kaisari, Maria & Kounetas, Konstantinos & Lainas, Elias, 2024. "School productive performance and technology gaps: New evidence from PISA 2018," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational performance; Multilevel metafrontier approach; Primary education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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