The headline Tory education policy is introducing Swedish style school vouchers — basically, making it easy for non-profits to set up schools, and funding them strictly on a per-pupil basis (see manifesto p53). I’ve criticized earlier version of this proposal in the past (as an out-of-the-blue email reminded me yesterday — its nice to know that people read 6 year old CT posts). Swift and I (PDF) wrote a piece recently about the latest version of this proposal, not criticizing it, but offering unsought advice about how to implement it in a way that is most likely to produce some benefits for less advantaged children. When we wrote it, it really did seem relevant to something: right now it seems like something written in another age, to me. Still, in case that age ever returns, I thought I’d point to it for people to consider.
{ 4 comments }
Thomas 04.27.10 at 6:40 pm
The Tories also love Steiner schools.
praisegod barebones 04.27.10 at 7:53 pm
‘When we wrote it, it really did seem relevant to something: right now it seems like something written in another age, to me.’
Why? Surely not because you think the Conservatives have no chance of winning. Just because in the nature of academic life, its something you wrote a long time ago? Or because you think the Conservatives would be unlikely to listen to what you have to say?
Incidentally, why do you assume that the setor will stay closed to ‘for-profit’ instituions for the foreseeable future? That doesn’t seem like a safe assumption at all as to what we have to expect from a conservative government in the UK.
Harry 04.27.10 at 8:45 pm
We actually wrote it pretty recently, and have some evidence that some Tories pay some attention to things we write. It just seems very unlikely that they’ll win outright at this point, and there’s no way the LDs will let them do this in a coalition.
praisegod barebones 04.27.10 at 9:06 pm
Ah, so deep down you’re an optimist then…
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