Much of the education economics literature focuses on how combinations of inputs, incentives and institutional structures result in better education results, in human capital accumulation and, in the longer term, in higher wages and economic growth. In this literature, less attention has been given to external factors, such as the availability of safe drinking water, personal … [Read more...] about How important is clean water for education?
Macro problems, micro solutions?
In a recent and very interesting article, William Easterly tried to put an end to his debate with Jeffrey Sachs’ claim that aid would end poverty as exemplified in the Millennium Villages project in Africa, where the hypothesis is that all problems of poverty have discrete technological fixes (for example, bed nets to deter malaria-spreading mosquitoes). “… Sachs’ promise … [Read more...] about Macro problems, micro solutions?
3 ideas to improve education quality
On February 2013 the 3rd article of the Mexican constitution was reformed to establish that the State must guarantee education quality. The reform also established that entry into the teaching profession and promotion to supervisory positions in elementary and secondary education provided by the State, must be competitive in order to guarantee appropriate capabilities and … [Read more...] about 3 ideas to improve education quality
12 recommendations on government reform
The idea that some policy “works well” is grounded on three assumptions. First, it assumes that the evidence is rigorous in the sense that causality can be established and policy implementation leads to the expected outcome. Second, that if “it” works, it is the most cost effective proposition. The third assumption is that effectiveness is not weakened by the delivery … [Read more...] about 12 recommendations on government reform
The 2013 Development Effectiveness top 5 blog posts
In 2013, we published 48 blog posts and had over approximately 36,000 visitors to our parallel sites in English and Español (Thanks!!). These are the top 5 posts by readership in English: The Costs of Crime and Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean Shelter from the storm Five steps you need in education evaluation Go to school, but only if it is a good … [Read more...] about The 2013 Development Effectiveness top 5 blog posts