Discusses a survey comparing parents' views of four British schools, two grant maintained (GM) and two local education authority (LEA) maintained. LEA school supporters believe these schools assess students more regularly and feature sound homework and uniform policies. GM school advocates believe their children will enjoy a pupil-centered…

Examines local management of British schools in term of organizational form theory. The 1988 Education Reform Act was designed to change the local education authority from a unitary to a multidivisional (M-form) structure, though the LEA's regulatory role was left undeveloped. Without a quality assurance function, decentralized management…

The headteacher of a London school serving children with sensory and physical impairments as well as severe to profound learning difficulties reports on implementation of local management of schools (LMS), a requirement under the Education Reform Bill. Addressed are budgeting considerations, initial problems, and advantages of LMS. (DB)

The head of a London primary school criticizes possible effects of the British Education Reform Act on the education of students with learning difficulties. Specifically noted are negative effects of local management of schools, reallocation of resources, formula funding, unequal ability by schools to raise funds, and destructive competition among…

Describes Audenshaw High School in Manchester, England, the first school to achieve grant-maintained status under the 1988 Education Reform Act, as an example of future school administration in the United Kingdom. Examines five aspects of budgeting that this change has entailed, highlighting funding problems and opportunities. (10 references) (MLH)

This paper examines the future of peripatetic services supporting children with special educational needs in integrated settings in England and Wales, particularly the extent to which such services will continue to be centrally funded by local education agencies (LEAs) under the 1988 Education Reform Act. A survey conducted on 114 LEAs in England…

The English education system is undergoing radical change initiated by central government. Extensive delegation of financial control to the school level has been paralleled by introduction of a national curriculum and open enrollment. This paper explains England's educational finance structure and the central government's interest in delegated…

This report summarizes a conference which addressed the 1988 British Education Reform Act (ERA). Two of the major planks in ERA, the National Curriculum and Local Management of Schools (LMS), were discussed in detail by speakers and delegates with a view to developing integration and building inclusive schools. Summaries are provided of the talks…

Summarizes a five-month study of a British secondary school governing body to determine whether the 1986 and 1988 education acts' goals were being achieved. One significant research issue was the emerging lay-professional relationship. At present, the school governing body is not fully exercising its powers but is responding to an externally…

Gives a brief historical background of education in England and describes the effects of the Education Reform Act of 1988 to undermine the powers of local education authorities. Cites open enrollment, local management of schools, grant-maintained schools and city technology schools, teacher performance appraisals, and the national curriculum as…