Cost Out: Web-Based Tool

In 2015, CBCSE with support from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (Award #R305U130001) developed CostOut. Based on the ingredients method, this web-based tool helps estimate the costs and cost-effectiveness of education and social programs using linked spreadsheets and built-in datasets from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It includes features such as inflation and amortization calculators and a localized price database.

While the principles behind the tool remain sound, its usefulness is limited by changing market conditions, especially the variability of teacher labor costs across contexts and over time. Instead of relying on a static tool, researchers are encouraged to apply opportunity cost principles and economic evaluation methods to conduct high-quality research. 

Power-UP! : Cost Effectiveness Analysis Software

The PowerUp!-CEA tool, developed by Co-PIs Nianbo Dong, Rebecca Maynard, Benjamin Kelcey, Jessaca Spybrook, and Wei Li with NSF funding [DRL-2000705], facilitates power analysis for multilevel randomized cost-effectiveness trials. This user-friendly software extends traditional power analysis methods to include cost considerations, supporting efficient and effective multilevel cost-effectiveness studies. Read more about the research behind PowerUP! in SAGE Journals.