Using Student Growth Percentile Methodology in the Cost-Related Program Evaluation

• In Event: Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: Informing Policy Through Innovative Approaches

Abstract

The intersection of program and cost evaluation has increasingly become important, especially in policy circles. Despite the growing desire, there is dearth of research studies reflecting complexity of topic (Brown& Belfield, 2002). Two current mandates leading to an increased urgency for cost related evaluation of programs are expectation for increased student achievement and budget cuts (Odden & Picus, 2011). To this end, we introduce and discuss the use of the Student Growth Percentile Methodology (SGPM) in a new cost related evaluation concept -Return in relation to Cost (RIC)- which is a combination of return -defined as student growth measure- and program cost which provides stakeholders a means to track their programs impact upon student growth in relation to program costs.

Authors

• Ruhan Circi Kizil, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Damian W. Betebenner, National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, Inc.