School performance evaluation using data envelopment analysis

We advocate the use of data envelopment analysis (DEA) along with regression and other tools of policy analysis for evaluation of resource utilization and policies within education. in light of the increasing focus on outcome assessment, accountability, and efficient allocation of education resources, in a multiple output-multiple input environment, we believe that DEA currently is underused. We emphasize interpretation of DEA results with focus on an evaluation of the resource allocations, particularly time in instruction, in the Illinois (U.S.) public elementary schools. We find that the typical elementary school in Illinois could get 10 to 15 percent better scores on state administered proficiency examinations if it used the resources it has more effectively.