Program of Studies in Non-Formal Education. Economics of Non-Formal Education. Study Team Reports.

Overview & Synopsis

As one of a series of team reports directed at knowledge building in the realm of non-formal education, this report presents three separate papers dealing with the economics of non-formal education. This report constitutes the final statement of a team of faculty members and/or research fellows. Titled "Economic Analysis and Non-Formal Education", the first paper is an essay dealing with the methodological problems of applying economic theory to non-formal education and addresses the problems of cost-benefits and rates of return, the unique characteristics of non-formal education, and the rural sector. The second paper, titled "Measuring the Cost of Non-Formal Education", outlines the shortcomings of present cost analyses of non-formal education and, suggesting how such cost analyses could be conducted in the future, proposes field tests for three forms (estimating costs of vocational training for youth, distribution of government costs by agency and level, and number of students). The final and most extensive paper constitutes a state of the arts review, including an introduction and summary and the following chapters: "Towards an Economic and Social Theory of Non-Formal Education"; "Investment Criteria in Non-Formal Education"; "Application of Investment Criteria and Non-Formal Education"; and "Planning, Growth, Development, and Non-Formal Education". (JC)