Page "Education reform" Paragraph 27

Though appealing in theory, many reforms based on school choice have not led to substantial improvements in teaching and learning.

For instance, New Zealand's landmark reform in 1989, during which schools were granted substantial autonomy, funding was devolved to schools, and parents were given a free choice of which school their children would attend, led to moderate improvements in most schools.

It was argued that the associated increases in inequity and greater racial stratification in schools nullified the educational gains.

Similar results have been found in other jurisdictions.

Though discouraging, the failure of choice to lead to overall improvement often seems to reflect weaknesses in the way that choice is implemented rather than a failure of the basic principle itself.