British education was once the envy of the world. But today it is Britain that can learn from abroad.

Sweden

Sweden has had a universal school choice programme since 1992. Funding is available for parents to take to any school that has been approved by the National Agency for Education. The Agency sets required standards for Swedish, English and maths and monitors the national curriculum. Taxpayer-funded schools may not charge fees. Since 1992, the number of independent schools has increased from under a hundred to almost five hundred.

Netherlands

School choice in the Netherlands was enshrined in the constitution of 1917. Parental, religious and other groups can establish a school and receive taxpayer funding. The number of parents required to open a school can, depending on the municipality, be as low as 50. Far from being confined to their local area, parents may select almost any school in the country for their child – funding is redirected automatically by the Ministry of Education.

Denmark

In Denmark, parents have a right to establish their own school and to receive taxpayer funding. Funding follows the pupil and supply is therefore demand-led.
Approximately 12% of primary and lower secondary pupils attend independent schools.

USA

Many American states have pioneered parents’ right to choose. 'Charter schools' can operate independently. Some states allow parents to take their child's funding to any private, charter or public school – in or out of their school district. Here are some examples.

Ohio

Cleveland has given parents school choice since 1996. The Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program allows students from low-income families to attend an
independent or State school of their choice.

Washington D.C.

Beginning in September 2004, the Washington D.C. Choice Incentive Program will provide grants of up to $7,500 to students from low-income families to attend the school of their choice, whether independent, religious, or public.

Milwaukee

The City of Milwaukee introduced a Parental Choice Program in 1990. Under the Program, pupils can choose any public school in any school district in the State. Many 'choice schools' supplement their funds by raising money from charitable foundations.

Florida

Florida's 'A+ Plan for Education' entitles students at failing schools to attend a State, independent, or religious school of their parents' choice. The Plan has raised student performance dramatically and provided failing schools with a strong incentive to improve.