Michael Gove speech on Academies

Michael Gove speech on Academies; Michael Gove speech continued SOT - Labour’s Academies programme proved genuinely transformative and provided a solid basis for our reforms. But we had more than just the evidence of history to lean on. The principle of autonomy-driven improvement is solidly backed by rigorous international evidence. The best academic studies clearly demonstrate the effect of empowering the frontline. Research from the OECD and others has shown that more autonomy for individual schools helps raise standards. In its most recent international survey of education, the OECD found that ‘in countries where schools have greater autonomy over what is taught and how students are assessed, students tend to perform better.' Two of the most successful countries in PISA international education league tables - Hong Kong and Singapore - are amongst those with the highest level of school competition. And from autonomous schools in Alberta, to Sweden’s Free Schools, to the Charter Schools of New York and Chicago, freedom is proving an unstoppable driver of excellence. Last November, Eric Hanushek and Ludger Woessmann – submitted a report to the European Commission under the auspices of the European Expert Network on Economics of Education . While the primary focus was on the relationship between educational attainment and economic growth, their research also highlighted the critical role of autonomy as a driver of high educational standards. They found that: Across countries, students tend to perform better in schools that have autonomy in personnel and day-to-day decisions, in particular when there is accountability. They say that: Critics of choice-based policies often argue that a greater reliance on choice and private competition can lead to greater segregation of students. On the other hand, in particular the additional choice created by public funding for independently operated schools may particularly benefit disadvant...