Eddy Leal (Trinity '07): The Economics of Education Reform in Puerto Rico
Issues related to education equality are passionately debated in all spheres of Puerto Rican society and in the United States where similar problems of inequality persist. Having grown up in Puerto Rico, Eddy Leal has witnessed firsthand the difficulties facing the Puerto Rican public school system. He was particularly drawn to a sophomore microeconomics course with Dr. Thomas Nechyba, whose research specialty is public economics, with particular focus on primary and secondary education. Working together, Eddy and Dr. Nechyba created a research plan for Eddy for summer 2005. They reviewed the literature to identify common themes across U.S. and Puerto Rico education, as well as those unique to Puerto Rican schools. Eddy then made a three-week trip to Puerto Rico to visit schools, libraries and government agencies for case study analyses, data collection and interviews."Researching possible reforms to public education in Puerto Rico is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at Duke,” Eddy reflected, “My dream is that my research can contribute to educational improvements in the Puerto Rican system.”
PHOTO: Eddy Leal, center, with the 8th grade students at Emilio E. Huyke School in Puerto Rico.