Peter Muennig1, Steven H Woolf. 1. Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. pm124@columbia.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We estimated the costs associated with reducing class sizes in kindergarten through grade 3 as well as the effects of small class sizes on selected outcomes such as quality-adjusted life-years and future earnings. METHODS: We used multiple data sets to predict changes in the outcomes assessed according to level of educational attainment. We then used a Markov model to estimate future costs and benefits incurred and quality-adjusted life-years gained per additional high school graduate produced over time. RESULTS: From a societal perspective (incorporating earnings and health outcomes), class-size reductions would generate a net cost savings of approximately $168,000 and a net gain of 1.7 quality-adjusted life-years for each high school graduate produced by small classes. When targeted to low-income students, the estimated savings would increase to $196,000 per additional graduate. From a governmental perspective (incorporating public expenditures and revenues), the results of reducing class sizes ranged from savings in costs to an additional cost of $15000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing class sizes may be more cost-effective than most public health and medical interventions.
OBJECTIVES: We estimated the costs associated with reducing class sizes in kindergarten through grade 3 as well as the effects of small class sizes on selected outcomes such as quality-adjusted life-years and future earnings. METHODS: We used multiple data sets to predict changes in the outcomes assessed according to level of educational attainment. We then used a Markov model to estimate future costs and benefits incurred and quality-adjusted life-years gained per additional high school graduate produced over time. RESULTS: From a societal perspective (incorporating earnings and health outcomes), class-size reductions would generate a net cost savings of approximately $168,000 and a net gain of 1.7 quality-adjusted life-years for each high school graduate produced by small classes. When targeted to low-income students, the estimated savings would increase to $196,000 per additional graduate. From a governmental perspective (incorporating public expenditures and revenues), the results of reducing class sizes ranged from savings in costs to an additional cost of $15000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing class sizes may be more cost-effective than most public health and medical interventions.
Authors: Michael V Maciosek; Ashley B Coffield; Nichol M Edwards; Thomas J Flottemesch; Michael J Goodman; Leif I Solberg Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Peter Muennig; Dylan Robertson; Gretchen Johnson; Frances Campbell; Elizabeth P Pungello; Matthew Neidell Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2011-01-13 Impact factor: 9.308