Available in print for order (see SOURCE) and online for download.
Summary:
The goal was simple - to improve the methods for gathering and analyzing data used to determine the cost of providing early education. Researchers attending the Early Education Cost Symposium discussed methods for capturing both costs and revenues and related measurement issues. The summaries of individual presentations and roundtable discussions included in this report present the most current approaches to data collection and provide a forum to discuss issues and problems in this research.
School administrators, policymakers and cost researchers will find this report a valuable reference for collecting the most useful types of cost information for evaluating and making decisions regarding resource allocation to early education programs. In addition to the papers, the report contains a bibliography of cost studies and sample survey instruments provided by the symposium participants. It is hoped the recommendations and guidelines presented in this report will assist those collecting preschool cost information and point the way toward future research.