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Efficiency of Finnish Upper Secondary Schools: An Application of Stochastic Frontier Analysis with Panel Data

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  • Kirjavainen, Tanja

Abstract

In this study the efficiency of Finnish upper secondary schools is evaluated with stochastic frontier analysis. Different stochastic frontier models for panel data are used to estimate education production functions. The results in matriculation examination are explained with comprehensive school grade point average, parents' socioeconomic background, resources, length of studies and decentralization of test taking on matriculation examination. Controls for schools with specialized curriculum are also included. The heterogeneity across schools is allowed by estimating both true random and true fixed effects models. The results show that the effect of teaching resources on examination results is even negative when the heterogeneity across schools is taken into account. Length of studies and decentralization of test taking affected negatively on student achievement. The inefficiency and the rankings of schools based on inefficiency score varied quite considerably depending on the type of stochastic frontier model. The lowest estimates for inefficiency were obtained with true random and true fixed effects models that separate time constant random or fixed effects from inefficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Kirjavainen, Tanja, 2007. "Efficiency of Finnish Upper Secondary Schools: An Application of Stochastic Frontier Analysis with Panel Data," Discussion Papers 428, VATT Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:fer:dpaper:428
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    File URL: https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/148414
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    1. Alfonso Leme & Josep-Oriol Escardíbul, 2016. "The effect of a specialized versus a general upper secondary school curriculum on students’ performance and inequality. A difference-in-differences cross country country comparison," Working Papers 2016/16, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    2. Nikolskiy, Ilya & Furmanov, Kirill, 2023. "Assessing the accuracy of efficiency rankings obtained from a stochastic frontier model," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 71, pages 128-142.
    3. Son Nghiem & Ha Trong Nguyen & Luke B. Connelly, 2016. "The Efficiency of Australian Schools: A Nationwide Analysis Using Gains in Test Scores of Students as Outputs," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 35(3), pages 256-268, September.
    4. Nadeem A. Burney & Jill Johnes & Mohammed Al-Enezi & Marwa Al-Musallam, 2013. "The efficiency of public schools: the case of Kuwait," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 360-379, September.

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    Keywords

    Efficiency; stochastic frontier analysis; secondary schools; Public services; Julkiset palvelut; Effectiveness of public services; Julkisten palvelujen vaikuttavuus;
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