Evaluation of Educational Program Proposals by Means of DEA

Abstract

A new application of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) is examined for evaluating the efficiency of occupational-technicalprograms in a comprehensive community college. This includes extensions of DEA for use in evaluating new programs that might be introduced along with possible combinations of old programs. Emphasis is placed on the relative efficiency aspects of DEA so that consequences for the efficiency ofprograms other than those being considered can be taken into account. Uses by the director of San Antonio College are described and placed in a context of the other elements that entered into her decisions. In conclusion, possible further improvements in DEA are discussed along with the kinds of research needed to achieve them.