Statewide Comparative Costs Study between Occupational and Academic Education, Grades 9-12, in Nevada, 1987.

Overview & Synopsis

A study compared the per-student costs of occupational and academic education in Nevada. Data were obtained from superintendents and occupational education directors from 16 Nevada school districts, the Nevada Girls' Training Center, and Nevada Youth Training Center. It was determined that it cost 52 percent more to provide educational services to the occupational student than to the academic student. The student-teacher ratio was 12:1 for occupational education versus 17:1 for academic education. The per-student average teacher's salary was $2,197.23 for occupational education compared with $1,590.86 for academic education. The statewide average amount expended on consumable student supplies was $200.49 for each occupational student versus $70.16 for each academic student. Occupational education equipment costs $145.88 per student per year compared with $32.45 per academic education student. Maintenance and repair costs averaged $87.89 per occupational student versus $43.00 per academic education student. Because of the higher costs associated with providing occupational education services, it was recommended that a differential funding formula be adopted and that the distributive school fund be increased so as to meet these differential costs in a consistent and equitable manner. Appendixes include data comparing various program costs and suggested procedures for use in determining occupational and academic education unduplicated enrollments for a cost comparison study. (MN)