Análise do valor acrescentado de escolas portuguesas

This paper assesses the value added of Portuguese schools through two differing methodologies. One methodology is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and the other is the method currently used in the UK by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The results obtained show substantial differences between the methods, reflecting their different focus: DEA looks at best performance of students, while the DfES method looks at average performance of students. The advantage of the DfES method rests on the fact that it is a simple and easy-to-explain method, though it confounds the effects that are due to students and those that are due to the school practices. DEA distinguishes both these effects in the calculation of value added, which allows a better understanding of the reasons why schools are different in terms of the value they add to their pupils. The information that one gathers from each method should be understood complementarily rather than alternatively, meaning that the use of both methods widens our perspective of schools and allows a comprehensive evaluation of them. revista_5_p43>168 07/02/22 12:17 Page 163