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Decentralization and Choice in Sweden's School System: Policy Implications for Canada |
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The study examines the expansion of school choice in Sweden's non-municipal public schools. July 2002
Helen Raham
Sweden's all-public education system houses a rapidly growing non-government sector that co-exists with municipal schools. What are the effects of this decentralized management on school quality and choice? Raham examines the evidence ten years after Sweden replaced a system of elite private schools with tuition-free alternative schools established by a range of community providers. She reviews the growth, management and performance of these new schools from the various perspectives of Swedish education stakeholders, government, and scholars.
In the course of her research in Stockholm, Raham visited a number of schools and conducted interviews with scholars and government, municipal, and union officials. The report, published in October 2002, provides a description of the system, the strengths and weakness of its operation, and an analysis of its relevance for Canada. The report concludes with recommendations on governance and choice policies to support public education in Canada.
Raham received her Bachelor of Education degree and Diploma of School Librarianship from the University of Victoria. She has a broad range of teaching experience in BC public schools and has authored numerous reports and journal articles on school improvement and systemic reforms. Her current role is Executive Director of the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education (SAEE). Funding for this research was provided by the Marigold Foundation.
Research Series 14, Published July 2002, ISBN # 0-9689936-6-4 ♦ Order ♦ Executive Summary ♦ |
