Swedish results fall abruptly as free school revolution falters

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/03/swedish-results-fall-free-schools-pisa-oecd

Version 0 of 1.

Sweden's education system has often been cited by Michael Gove as a role model, especially for its policy of state-sponsored free schools providing increased choice for parents. In 2008 Gove told the Conservative party conference that Sweden's school reforms would be introduced if he was in government – and in 2010 promptly did so, with the advent of free schools.

A few years later and Sweden's star has dimmed. The 2012 Pisa results show Sweden's exam results falling abruptly across all three measures of reading, maths and science – with the country recording the largest drop in maths performance over 10 years. Anna Ekström, head of Sweden's National Education Agency, said in response: "The bleak picture has become bleaker with the Pisa review that was presented today."

Dr Susanne Wiborg of London's Institute of Education said: "The Swedish free schools have played an indirect role in the decline of the Pisa scores over the last decade. However, the question still remains to what extent these schools actually can be blamed for this."

In recent months a number of for-profit companies running free schools in Sweden have been in financial difficulties, while a recent TV exposé revealed that the state-funded privately-run schools were prepared to bend selection rules to admit bright pupils.

Sweden's education minister, Jan Björklund, said the Pisa results were "the final nail in the coffin for the old school reform," and speculated that the central government could take over running schools from Sweden's municipalities.

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.