Cost per resident — Social Studies definition
A defined cost divided by the number of distinct residents served in the same period.
Where it is taught
- Government Capstone: A Supported Public-Policy Proposal — Civic Participation & Public Policy, Government, Civic Participation & Economics, Grade 12
Questions using cost per resident
Problem 1
Why does the lowest cost per resident not decide the proposal automatically?
Answer and explanation
It measures one efficiency ratio, not rights, distribution, reliability, or access needs. Option A has the lowest supplied ratio, while B includes documented residents without alternatives. State the criterion and missing evidence before deciding how to weigh those differences.
Problem 2
Invented option C costs $30,000 and serves 120 distinct residents annually. Calculate cost per resident and compare it with A’s $200 ratio.
Answer and explanation
C costs $250 per resident, compared with A’s $200 under matched categories. This favors A on that ratio alone; access, reliability, distribution, feasible funding, and missing conditions can change an overall recommendation.
Response criteria
- Explain the relevant institution or economic concept accurately; show correct calculations where needed.
- Connect supplied evidence and stated assumptions to an explained conclusion.
- Compare feasible options and their effects on different people without stereotypes.
- Identify a limitation, tradeoff, uncertainty, or condition that qualifies the conclusion.