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I started out teaching economics at a liberal
arts college, with a particular interest in the economic
development of developing countries. I soon realized that human
capital was an important element within that mix, and as a
consequence became interested in the economics of education.
Over the last two decades, I’ve focused on the economics of
higher education, although I also deal with education more
broadly defined, including K-12 through adult education and the
economics of disability policies.
Currently, about 40% of my research is devoted
to dealing with economic assessment and the evaluation of
disability policies, which spans everything from adult literacy
to special education. The remainder of my time is spent studying
issues of economic productivity, and related issues of
productivity to equity effects in higher education. Two or three
times a year I provide technical assistance to countries that
are grappling with issues of decentralization and reformation of
their higher educational systems. For example, what role can
external accountability, faculty productivity and economies of
scale and scope play in Central European universities facing
dramatic loses of faculty and funding sources? These are all
very much hot areas of concern at the present time.
Although I no longer teach undergraduate
courses, I miss the opportunity to work with bright and
motivated undergraduate students. There is something deeply
satisfying about that, as there is in working with more advanced
students. I consistently attempt to provide students a chance to
participate in my research, particularly in the international
arena. I feel it is important to retain a sense of excitement
and personal satisfaction in both arenas (teaching and
research), and to hold myself to that standard.
Selected publications
Lewis, D. R. & Johnson, D.R. (2000).
Participatory Evaluation in Special Education and Rehabilitation
Programs. 162 pages. Washington, DC: American Association of
Mental Retardation.
Lewis, D. R. & Dundar, H. (2001). "Epilogue
to Costs and Productivity in Higher Education" (pages 133-192).
In John C. Smart and Michael B. Paulsen (eds.), The Finance
of Higher Education: Theory, Research, Policy and Practice.
New York: Agathon Press.
Lewis, D. R. & Hearn, J. (2003). The
Public Research University: Serving the Public Good in New Times.
Lanham, MD: University press of American. Reprinted in Chinese
at Beijing Normal University (in press).
Lewis, D. R., Hendel, D. & Demyanchuk, A.
(2003).
Private Higher Education in Transition Countries. Kiev,
Ukraine: KM Academia Publishing House. Reprinted in Azeri and
Russian at Azerbaijan International University.
A more complete listing of publications follows.
Academic degrees
- Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 1963, economics
- B.A., Luther College, 1960, economics
Professional experience
- 1985-present, University of Minnesota, professor of
educational policy and higher education
- 1973-1984, University of Minnesota, associate dean for
research and administration
- 1967-1973, University of Minnesota, professor of
economic education and center director
- 1963-1967, Luther College, assistant professor of
economics
Courses taught
(over past two years)
- EDPA 5701—American Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDPA 5044—Economics of Education (3 credits)
- EDPA 8728—Economics of Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDPA 5521—Economic Evaluation of Training and Education
(3 credits)
- EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 credits)
Other assignments
(over past two years)
- Adviser for 22 Ph.D. and 16 M.A. candidates
- Research associate with the
Institute on Community Integration
- Director of U.S. Dept. of State linkage project in
Azerbaijan
- Member of departmental search committee for 2 new
faculty positions
- Member:
Leadership academy
Higher education program
Evaluation studies program
Current professional and academic association
memberships
Other recent publications
Lewis, D. R. & Bruininks, R. H. (1994).
"Costs of Community-Based Residential and Related Services to
Individuals with Mental Retardation and Other Developmental
Disabilities," pp. 231-263. In M. Hayden and B. Avery (eds.),
Challenges for a Service System in Transition: Ensuring Quality
Community Experiences for Persons with Developmental
Disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
Lewis, D. R. & Kallsen, L. A. (Summer 1995).
"Multiattribute Evaluations: An Aid in Reallocation Decisions in
Higher Education," The Review of Higher Education, 18(4),
437-465.
Lewis, D. R., & Dundar, H. (1995).
"Economics of Scale and Scope in Turkish Universities,"
Education Economics, 3(2), 133-157.
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