The social impact metrics are designed to reward investors. The Heckman Curve is one illustration of marketing SIBs and Pay for Success contracts. In the case of preschool SIBs (Utah, Chicago) the children are cherrypicked to eliminate those with disabilities judged to be severe enough to that they are unlikely to be overcome by Kindergarten or grade one. I think this is an unethical practice, even it produces an “effective outcome” for the investors. I am disturbed by a belief system that monetizes every social service, public good, and obligation we have to each other as humans.
COMMENTS
BY Rob Drake
ON December 21, 2018 04:13 PM
Very insightful article. Reminds me of the double blind studies that are a mainstay of good medical research in the evaluation of effecitve outcome.
BY Laura H. Chapman
ON December 28, 2018 12:25 PM
The social impact metrics are designed to reward investors. The Heckman Curve is one illustration of marketing SIBs and Pay for Success contracts. In the case of preschool SIBs (Utah, Chicago) the children are cherrypicked to eliminate those with disabilities judged to be severe enough to that they are unlikely to be overcome by Kindergarten or grade one. I think this is an unethical practice, even it produces an “effective outcome” for the investors. I am disturbed by a belief system that monetizes every social service, public good, and obligation we have to each other as humans.