Britain's Education Secretary Michael Gove hasn't wasted any time since assuming his post in May. In these short six months, he's implemented a new ?free schools? initiative, which takes a page out of America's charter-school book by allowing groups (mostly charities or parents) to establish privately-run, publicly-funded schools. He's also sought to increase the number of ?academies? (they're akin to our magnet schools) in Britain. More recently, his proposed changes to the funding structure for higher education (which would increase student fees) sparked protests?and some messy riots?in London. And most recently, he has announced a plan that would dramatically reduce local control over education spending?and, he says, make funding ?fairer and more transparent.? Instead of continuing to operate with the traditional formula, which leaves much discretion to local education agencies and often leads to gaping per-pupil discrepancies between schools, the new system would have money follow the child. A weighted student funding model would provide schools with what Gove calls ?central government grants? and what others call ?vouchers??one for each student in their charge. We've got only one question for Mr. Gove: Sir, would you like to import these reforms to America?
This piece originally appeared in this week's Education Gadfly. To subscribe to the Gadfly, click here.