Reforms in many countries have attempted to increase the degree of competition in school markets. Analyzes school market outcomes utilizing a simple model of the type of local market created in England and Wales. Finds, for example, that the combination of quasi-market reforms do not appear to have produced incentives for all schools to increase…

The School Standards and Framework Act, 1998, required the Secretary of State to publish an order listing all the foundation and voluntary schools having a religious character and stating "the religion or religious denomination in accordance with whose tenets religious education is, or may be, required to be provided at the school..."…

This paper considers the possible impact of market forces on educational achievement in English and Welsh secondary schools. A major argument made by market advocates in favor of extending programs of school choice was that this would drive up standards. However, despite 12 years of relevant experience in the United Kingdom, it remains very…

This paper examines the local operation of educational provision in a small English town. It is based on 771 surveys received from parents whose children went to four mixed schools in the town in 1995. The survey asked about the family situation, parents' degree of choice in selecting a school for their children, and the influence of single-sex…

Discusses the policy context of the examination results of secondary schools published by the quality daily national press in England. Addresses the published results, how they are used by parents making preferences for secondary schools, and the consequences of their publication. (CMK)

Investigates two links in the quasi-market for English secondary schools: (1) the link between attracting students to a school and financial rewards; and (2) the link between changes in student roll and the educational performance and social background of the students already at the school. Addresses the findings in detail. (CMK)

Describes the structure of finance in the English education system; and examines the significance of the local management of schools legislation in terms of the following concepts: (1) formula; (2) delegated finance; (3) staffing delegation; (4) open enrollment; and (5) performance indicators. (18 references) (MLF)

Examines educational reforms relating to school choice introduced in England and Wales by Conservative governments. Evaluates whether choice has increased, and for whom, and whether desired achievement standards have been met. The range of schools has increased and student performance has improved. However, curricular diversity is constrained by…

Analyzes differences in the availability of school choice in the Netherlands, England, and Scotland, focusing on trends in 10 choice-related variables. Concludes that all three countries are moving toward an increased market mechanism but exhibit extensive differences, with the Netherlands approaching the market mechanism most closely. Contains 61…

Summarized findings from a study of school choice in publicly funded schools in England and Wales, analyzing changes over time in students' characteristics and performance. Results indicated that the socioeconomic stratification of students declined after the introduction of choice policies. Standards in publicly funded schools rose relative to…

Considers competition among schools in the UK state education system in three ways: as self-governing, hierarchical, or nonhierarchical competition spaces. The diverse schools in the marketplace compete unequally. Denominational and selective schools do not compete for local students. Nondenominational and nonselective grant-maintained schools top…

We provide estimates of the effect of attending a Faith school on educational attainment progress during the Primary education phase in England. We argue that there are no credible instruments for Faith school attendance. Instead, we control for selection on religious schooling by tracking pupils over time and comparing attainments of students who…

The Conservative Government's education reforms of the past 6 years in England and Wales, beginning with the Education Reform Act of 1988, embody a strategy designed to pursue the following 5 themes: quality, diversity, increased parental choice, and greater school autonomy and accountability. The government's rationale for reform makes no…

President Bush's America 2000 strategy, like the Education Reform Act of 1988 adopted by Prime Minister Thatcher's government in the United Kingdom, seeks to make education accountable to the marketplace. Both programs promote school choice, site-based management, and national control of curriculum and assessment. British studies have shown that…

Quasi-market reforms have been detrimental to vocational education in England. Prereform inequities have been reinforced and the quasi-market creates different opportunities for students based on social class. Reforms have increased information flows to parents, but only certain groups of educational consumers have been empowered. (SK)