Devolution and Choice in Education

This is an examination of recent school reforms in England and Wales, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. The study suggests that, at the same time as appearing to devolve power to individual schools and parents, governments have actually been increasing their own capacity to manipulate the system. Focusing particularly on the "quasi-markets" favoured by the New Right, the authors review the research evidence on the impact of the reforms. They conclude that there is no strong evidence to support the educational benefits claimed by the proponents of the reforms, and considerable evidence that they are enabling advantaged schools and advantaged parents to maximize their advantages. They suggest that, if these damaging equity effects are to be avoided, there is an urgent need to redress the balance between consumer rights and citizen rights in education.