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IES Conferences, Workshop/Training & Technical Assistance
Training in Cost-Effectiveness and Benefit-Cost Methods for Evaluators

Description:

Objective: The National Center for Education Research (NCER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education announces its first Methods Training on cost analysis in education sciences through The Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education (CBCSE). The CBCSE at Teachers College, Columbia University is offering a free training program for researchers and evaluators on applying Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) and Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to education interventions such as policies and programs.

Dates: February 2-6, 2015 with 3 subsequent virtual meetings. As part of the virtual meetings, participants will prepare and present a webinar that describes the progress on their current CEA/BCA research. This training will be offered again in the Summer of 2015.

Location: Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.
The Training Institute will be held at Horace Mann Hall on the campus of Teachers College, Columbia University. Hotel options will be provided upon notification of acceptance to the training program.

Project Website: http://cbcse.org/training-programs

Course content: The course will be led by Professors Henry Levin and Clive Belfield (CBCSE, Teachers College, Columbia University) and will include invited presentations from other faculty members and practitioners. The course sessions will include the following topics:

Introduction to CEA/BCA and their interpretations and roles in policy;
Principles and Methods of Cost Analyses and Applications;
Effectiveness Measurement and Utility Analysis
CEA Metrics
Benefit Analysis and Shadow Pricing Techniques
BCA Metrics
Sensitivity Analysis
CEA/BCA Policy and Decision-making
Case Studies and Workshops on Selected Topics (e.g. pre-school, K-12 interventions, and higher education).

Training Institute Sponsor: The Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University is providing support for this training program through a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences.

Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria for Training Institute Fellows:

  1. Training participants should primarily be individuals who have received their doctorate prior to the beginning of training and are working in the field of education research. Applicants with master's degrees who have been working in the field of education research will also be considered.
  2. Only researchers who are U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents conducting research on matters related to U.S. education policy will be eligible.
  3. Participants must establish that they have a clear and intended application of the CEA/BCA method in their statement of intent.
  4. Preference will be given to researchers engaged in or committed to performing an evaluation of a particular education reform (and need to conduct CEA/BCA as part of the evaluation).
  5. Basic economics training and one semester of microeconomics is preferable

Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If selected for participation in the Training Institute, individuals who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities should contact Meridith Friedman at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Costs and Stipends: There is no charge to attend the course. Participants are expected to obtain funding and arrange for their own transportation to and from, Columbia University, as well as lodging for the duration of the course. CBCSE staff will offer recommendations for nearby hotels that offer a discount to participants.

For those participants who require assistance with covering lodging costs, CBCSE will seek to provide limited aid based on the GSA per diem rates. The grant funding restricts the extent to which this support can be offered. Applicants who require aid to attend will be requested to indicate the level of need and reason for the request.

Application Procedures: Complete the online application form on the project website. Along with the application, please include:

  1. An updated CV to be uploaded as a PDF.
  2. A one-page statement of intent that describes why you would like to attend the training program and how you intend to use CEA/BCA in your own work.
  3. A letter of recommendation from someone who is familiar with your technical skills and accomplishments.
The letter is to be uploaded as a PDF or e-mailed to cbcse@tc.columbia.edu. Applications will be reviewed beginning on November 17, 2014, and the review process will continue until all slots are filled.

Contact Information:
Inquiries about submission of the Training Institute application materials:
Meridith Friedman
Program Assistant
Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education
Thompson Hall 230
Teachers College
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027-6696
Phone: (212) 678-3259
E-mail: mf2997@tc.columbia.edu

Type: Conferences
Location: Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY
Dates: February 2-6, 2015
Organization: National Center for Education Research
Contacts:   Contact Gagné, Phill from National Center for Education Research at (202) 245-7139
  Contact Friedman, Meridith from Teachers College, Columbia University at (212) 678-3259