A comparison of the cost-effectiveness of a stipend versus a non-stipend program for adult education in Hidalgo County, Texas

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the cost effectiveness of a stipend versus a non-stipend adult education program that prepared students to obtain the General Educational Development (GED) certificate. The programs selected were in operation in Hidalgo County, Texas, in 1975-76. The students selected for the study consisted of referrals to the programs operated under Title I of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act of 1973. Data were compiled from the report forms used by the Texas Employment Commission, the Texas Education Agency, the Hidalgo County Manpower Planning Department, and the local programs. Personal visits were made to the local programs for additional information and data. The data were tabulated and the results reported in the analysis on student performance in a stipend versus a non-stipend program when compared to the cost effectiveness of the individual programs. The number of GED completions was the basis for the determination of "effectiveness." The programs in the study had a state approved contract with audited verification of expenditures at the conclusion of the program. A tabulated analysis was constructed to classify the results for each of the five variables into two categories-- stipend and non-stipend. The results of the GED test for students in the programs were classified in the categories of completion, and non-completion. In order to determine if there was a difference in student performance, a descriptive comparison was made for each of the programs involved. The tabulation presented the frequency of occurrence for each of the program variables in parallel with the GED tests taken (complete or incomplete). It was concluded that there was a difference in the cost effectiveness in the stipend and the non-stipend programs when compared to the number of completers of the GED tests. Consequently, it was concluded that a non-stipend program would be more beneficial when designed to measure cost effectiveness in terms of the number of students who obtain their GED certificate.