A Pilot Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Economic and Educational Impact of the Mountain-Plains Education and Economic Development Program, Inc. A Research Study for Department of Health, Education and Welfare, National Institute of Education. Revised May 1976 / Ernst W. Stromsdorfer and Kamran Moayed-Dadkhah.

Presenting a cost-benefit analysis of the Mountain-Plains Career Education Program (a family based program for the economically deprived in the mountain plains states operating out of Glasgow Air Force Base in Montana) and the methodological basis for a full and more detailed study, this evaluation includes: (1) discussion of theoretical issues that must be considered in any cost-effectiveness or cost benefit analysis, with special reference to the project under study; (2) a general framework designed to analyze different aspects of the accumulation of human capital (trainee employability and productivity as measured by wage rates); (3) a model of short-run cost including a discussion of the program's data deficiencies, possible remedies, and some program specific conceptual problems, as well as an estimation of the program cost function; and (4) an econometric appendix designed for future investigations based upon more solid methodological ground. In general, this assessment indicates that the results of the evaluation are distorted due to "extremely poor" data reporting and an ill chosen comparison group. Eleven detailed proposals for data collection are presented as suggestions for future data collection procedures. (JC)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.