Description
Book SynopsisDerek Neal writes that economists must analyze public education policy in the same way they analyze other procurement problems. He shows how standard tools from economics research speak directly to issues in education. For mastering the models and tools that economists of education should use in their work, there is no better resource available.
Trade ReviewInformation, Incentives, and Education Policy provides an interesting and original overview of some of the most important ideas from economics concerning the design and performance of education systems. Neal’s main contribution is to provide a conceptual framework for thinking about how to best assess the performance of teachers and schools, how to attract, assess, and motivate good educators, and how to design and assess school choice within public school systems as well as charter schools and voucher programs. -- Joseph G. Altonji, Yale University
Derek Neal’s wisdom in returning to first principles in this book generates a unique perspective that ties together economic theory and evidence in a way that will help advance the scientific foundation for education policy and move it in new directions. -- Parag Pathak, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
In this book, Derek Neal lays out an economics framework for constructing and evaluating education policy. I recommend this book to those teaching graduate courses and advanced undergraduate courses. Even established researchers have much to gain from this book, which reminds us to keep economics front and center in the study of the economics of education. -- Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, Northwestern University
Neal has his economist lenses firmly in place as he considers issues in education that range from the fundamental reasons for government investment in schools to the role that parental choice can and should play in determining where kids go to school. He succeeds in showing that the economic perspective offers plenty of instructive insights about American education…A valuable book from which readers stand to learn a lot. -- Michael McPherson * Education Next *
Most education researchers will find, as I have, that they can learn a great deal from the book. -- Dennis Epple * Journal of Economic Literature *
