Funding, efficiency, and equity in education
In OECD countries the average expenditure on primary and secondary education institutions is about 3.5% of GDP. The investment in education has large implications for economic development and the proper functioning of democratic institutions, as well as overall well-being. However, clear consensus and guidance on which system leads to the best educational outcomes is lacking. This volume describes the resource allocation for compulsory and special needs education for a selection of well-performing countries and regions on PISA tests. By studying the funding systems in well-performing countries and regions the authors identify the elements in the respective funding systems that are associated with best outcomes and have the ideal characteristics to pursue particular goals of education systems such as equity and efficiency. The funding methods of primary and secondary education as well as special needs education are covered.

Ebook available in Open Access.
This publication is GPRC-labeled (Guaranteed Peer-Reviewed Content).

About the Author
Kristof De Witte is professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven and holds the chair in Effectiveness and Efficiency of Educational Innovations at United Nations University (UNU-MERIT) at Maastricht University. Vitezslav Titl is doctoral researcher in political economy at KU Leuven. Prior to his doctoral studies, he finished traineeships at the European Parliament and the German Development Institute. Oliver Holz is assistant professor at KU Leuven, where he works in the teacher training programme. He is affiliated with the research group Leuven Economics of Education Research. Mike Smet is assistant professor of Research Methods at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven. He is affiliated with the research group Leuven Economics of Education Research.

Reviews

Discusses the funding formulas for compulsory and special needs education in countries and regions that have performed well on international tests, focusing specifically on Estonia, Finland, the state of Massachusetts, the province of British Columbia, and the Flemish Community of Belgium. Highlights specific features of the selected countries and regions. Describes the education systems in these regions and their approaches to special needs students. Explains how the funding system in each region works by comprehensively looking at its funding formulas for primary, secondary, and special needs education.
2021. "Annotated Listing of New Books." Journal of Economic Literature, 59 (1): 297-371. DOI: 10.1257/jel.59.1.297

Book Information
ISBN 9789462701915
Author Kristof De Witte
Format Paperback
Page Count 164
Imprint Leuven University Press
Publisher Leuven University Press
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 10mm