First Read this article
The Big Question: What is the Swedish schools model, and can UK education learn from it?
How does the Swedish System work?
Under the policy, which was first introduced in the 1990s, parents are given a sum of money (around the equivalent of £6,000 per pupil) that they can then use to send their child to the school of their choice. They can, if they want to, set up their own schools which are outside the state system but for which parents can use what is effectively a voucher to enrol their children at the school. Since the policy was adopted (it had been languishing in policy wonks’ in-trays for some 20 years before receiving the go-ahead) around 900 new schools have been established – with freedom from government control to run their own affairs.
How widespread would the scheme be if the Conservatives adopted it?
Mr Gove has indicated that – if it was as successful here as it has been in Sweden – it could lead to the setting up of as many as 3,000 new schools. In his speech to the Conservative party conference, he said: “We would allow education specialists – charities, philanthropists, existing federations and groups of parents – to set up new schools as an alternative to failing schools.” His assertion is based on the belief that it would be parents in under-performing schools who would go for this new option. “We are confident this will raise standards – in Sweden 15 per cent of children are educated in free, independent state schools,” he added. “Standards have risen in those new schools and in other state schools.”
When some Bozo tells you reform isn’t possible, ask them why Sweden is become a conservative “Third Way” nation while the US is traveling rapidly into a moronic Socialist past.