Devolving the management of schools in Britain

Drawing upon the authors' study of the devolved management of secondary schools comparing England with Scotland this article ... explores the effects of devolving management to schools through three case- study areas - two of which are located in Scotland and one in England. Differences in legislative and historical background make it possible to explore the effects of different degrees and types of devolution and choice policies. The authors investigate these variations along the policy themes of enhancing competition among schools, promoting parental participation in school decicion making, enhancing professional accountability, and altering the relationship between schools and their local education authorities. Their research leads them to identify a number of areas where the theoretical premises of devolved management needs to be reconceptualised. (DIPF/Abstract und Text übernommen)