A New Approach to the Economics of Education: the Case of the English Schooling System

Marco Tonello’s paper provides a new theoretical scheme to the analysis of some basic issues of the traditional economics of education, related to the study of school system efficiency

M._Tonello__A_New_Approach_to_the_Economics_of_Education_the_Case_of_the_English_Schooling_System_-__FGA_WP19.doc_01.pdf

To improve the education effectiveness and efficiency is one of the most challenging issue in the economics of education and education policy research. Although the increase in education public spending is widely accepted as desirable, the relevant question is whether individuals and communities should invest more in education. Resources are generally scarce and give larger returns if properly allocated.

Moreover, an increase in resources spent per each pupil is not necessarily linked to an improvement in students’ achievement. Then, according to some scholars analysis should be focused on the efficiency of the schooling sector, and on the use of the resources, rather than on the amount spent.

On the grounds of empirical evidence emerging from the English compulsory school system, Marco Tonello, a young scholar from Milan (Italy), discusses new theoretical approaches and underlines some useful insights to the policy-makers in those countries where restructuring the schooling sector is on the government’s agenda.