A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Vocational Education Program in Puerto Rico.

To assist decision makers in appropriating funds wisely for vocational school programs, this study was undertaken to: (1) conduct a cost effectiveness analysis of vocational programs administered by the Department of Education, (2) determine variations in unit costs of programs and curricula, (3) identify factors contributing to variations in unit costs, and (4) array programs from the highest rated utility function to the lowest. Some of the major conclusions reached from the cost-analysis technique were: (1) There are considerable cost variations among the districts, (2) Cost variation depends heavily on the number of graduates by districts as well as on the number of courses offered under a program or occupation, (4) Scientific-technical courses increase the absolute cost of a program as opposed to nontechnical courses, and (5) Costs are affected by the level of courses offered. In regard to the cost-benefit analysis, it was concluded that: (1) technical courses generally bring about a higher level of learnings than do nontechnical courses, and (2) benefits are seriously affected by the number of graduates joining the labor force and finding employment on a full and/or part-time basis. (Author/SN)