A cost-effectiveness comparison of two types of occupational home economics programs in the state of Kentucky

This study provides program effectiveness data which measure goal attainments for a program, that is, the extent to which 33 specific target goals were achieved. Also provided were cost efficiency data to determine total program cost which were prorated to the vocational program. Finally a cost effectiveness ratio was determined for each program based on the program effectiveness and cost efficiency measures.

To provide a portion of the program effectiveness data needed, follow-up questionnaires were mailed to both student and employer samples which included all program completers of the nine child care and the 11 commercial foods programs and all employers of students employed in a field related to training. Program cost data for determining cost efficiency measures were obtained from teachers and public information of local school districts' financial reports. The study provided cost-effectiveness data which should be useful to program planners and curriculum decision makers who must allocate scarce resources among programs.

Conclusions of the study were as follows:

1. Cost efficiency data and program effectiveness indices can be computed for each child care and commercial foods programs and should be useful for both program planners and evaluators.

2. Cost-effectiveness data can be a useful tool for identifying which program type is most efficient and effective.

3. Variations in direct program costs and total program costs can be useful in analyzing programs which are least efficient.

4. The cost-effectiveness analysis measures of this study will be of primary value in making improvements among and between programs.