This study found that formal benefit-cost and effectiveness-cost analyses can help determine whether outcomes of particular special education services are being offered most efficiently. The study presents a conceptual framework for describing costs and benefits, presents data for two schools serving youth with severe mental retardation, and…

Using data from 28 mildly retarded high-school graduates, the economic costs and outcomes resulting from special education services were determined. Results indicated that with appropriately identified, measured, and valued costs and benefits, it is possible to employ a formal benefit-cost framework to assess the efficiency of special education…