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Efficiency, But At What Cost? Evidence from a DEA Analysis of WV School Districts

Author

Listed:
  • Eduardo Minuci

    (West Virginia University, Department of Economics)

  • Amir B. Ferreira Neto

    (West Virginia University, Department of Economics)

  • Joshua Hall

    (West Virginia University, Department of Economics)

Abstract

West Virginia schools are consistently below the national average on the NAEP. Using Data Envelopment Analysis, we estimate the technical efficiency of West Virginia school districts. We find less variation in technical efficiency in West Virginia than in similar studies conducted in other states. This appears to be because of state policy imposing homogeneity of input usage. Due to the limited variation in technical efficiency across districts, we cannot analyze how non-school inputs such as socioeconomic factors affect technical efficiency across districts. Summary statistics organized by county economic status, however, suggest that socioeconomic status plays a role. Our results highlight an important limitation of DEA analysis on schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Eduardo Minuci & Amir B. Ferreira Neto & Joshua Hall, 2017. "Efficiency, But At What Cost? Evidence from a DEA Analysis of WV School Districts," Working Papers 17-28, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    • Handle: RePEc:wvu:wpaper:17-28
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    File URL: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1240&context=econ_working-papers
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Data Envelopment Analysis; Efficiency; Government; Public Schools;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • H76 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other Expenditure Categories
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other

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