Institutional Context of Education Systems in Europe

Based on empirical analysis using configuration theory and multi-dimensional scaling, this book provides insight into types of relationships that can be found between groups of countries with certain institutional context features, and into the quality and equity of their education system.

In this volume, the authors take up the challenge of considering what a European ‘settlement’ might look like. In doing so, they take into account worldwide trends and the increasing evidence of convergence across educational systems. The outcomes of comparative analyses seem to suggest that strong education systems in terms of finance, governance and choice could be preferable. To a greater or lesser extent, therefore, all the systems of education currently in use in Europe face some common challenges. The way in which these challenges are addressed will determine the future of these systems. Key elements in the current debate that are considered in greater detail in this volume include changing views on (a) centre-local relations with signs of an increasing commitment to decentralisation as a guiding principle for developing school governance; (b) school autonomy which is now increasingly regarded as the engine-room for school improvement, especially in relation to sustaining it; and (c) the celebration of community and school choice as a means of securing higher levels of parental involvement.

This volume will be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in education, educational research and sociology of education. It will also be of relevance to those interested in the comparison of various education systems and in governance, funding of education and school choice.

Preface.- About the editors.- Chapter 1 Institutional contexts and effectiveness of schooling.- 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 A conceptual presentation of assumed relationships. 1.3 Institutional contexts of education systems. 1.3.1 Public/private sector effects. 1.3.2 Type of funding of public and private education. 1.3.3 Governance of public and private education. 1.3.4 Choice and community in public and private education. 1.4 The within-country public/private sector model. 1.5 Objectives and design of the international project. 1.6 Acknowledgements. Chapter 2 Selection and definition of indicators.- 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Selection and description of six indicators of institutional context. 2.2.1 Funding of schools. 2.2.2 Indicators of types of governance. 2.2.3 Indicators of freedom of school choice. Chapter 3 Country reports: education systems in Europe.- 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Spain. 3.2.1 Country profile. 3.2.2 Characteristics of Spanish compulsory education. 3.2.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.3 Scotland. 3.3.1 Country profile.- 3.3.2 Characteristics of Scottish compulsory education. 3.3.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.4 Sweden. 3.4.1 Country profile. 3.4.2 Characteristics of Swedish compulsory education. 3.4.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.5 Portugal. 3.5.1. Country profile. 3.5.2 Characteristics of Portuguese compulsory education. 3.5.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.6 The Netherlands. 3.6.1 Country profile. 3.6.2 Characteristics of Dutch compulsory education. 3.6.3 Public and private education: key characteristics. 3.7 Ireland. 3.7.1 Country profile. 3.7.2 Characteristics of Irish compulsory education. 3.7.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.8 Germany. 3.8.1 Country profile. 3.8.2 Characteristics of German compulsory education. 3.8.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.9 France. 3.9.1 Country profile3.9.2 Characteristics of French compulsory education. 3.9.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.10 England. 3.10.1 Country profile. 3.10.2 Characteristics of compulsory education in England. 3.10.3 Public and private education: key characteristics. 3.11 Denmark. 3.11.1 Country profile. 3.11.2 Characteristics of Danish compulsory education. 3.11.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.12 Belgium (French).- 3.12.1 Country profile. 3.12.2 Characteristics of Belgium (French) compulsory education. 3.12.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.13 Belgium (Flemish). 3.13.1 Country profile. 3.13.2 Characteristics of Belgium (Flemish) compulsory education. 3.13.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. 3.14 Austria. 3.14.1 Country profile. 3.14.2 Characteristics of Austrian compulsory education. 3.14.3 Public and private schools: key characteristics. Chapter 4 Quality and equity of European education.- 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Distribution of public and private education. 4.3 Fair comparisons of public and private schools’ performance. 4.4 Choice of quality assessment criteria. 4.5 International comparison. 4.6 Overview of TIMSS mathematics assessment. 4.7 Methodology. 4.8 Comparison of quality and equity across European countries. 4.9 The outcomes within a broader perspective. 4.10 Interpreting our results in comparison to PISA outcomes. 4.11 Educational expenditure. Chapter 5 Configurations of institutional contexts.- 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Configuration theory and multidimensional scaling. 5.3 Towards dimensions of institutional contexts. 5.4 Interpretation of configurations. 5.5 Four configurations of institutional contexts. 5.6 Public and private schools. Chapter 6 Reflections and explanations.- 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Size and funding of public and private education. 6.2.1 Grant-aided private versus ‘truly’ private education. 6.2.2 Selectivity of the country’s