Reform in Britain

Education Next, Fall, 2004 by Peter Robinson

No doubt readers of Christopher Woodhead's article ("The British Experience," Feature, Summer 2004) will have figured out that this is a polemic rather than a balanced discussion of the pros and cons of recent education reforms in England. For instance, Woodhead's claim that the examination agencies in England lack real independence has never been substantiated by any of the many independent investigations carried out from time to time in response to accusations of the "dumbing down" of exams.

The "exhaustion and anger of teachers" referred to in the article is seldom directed at the "educational establishment" but more often at policymakers--and most frequently at those who offer unbalanced and poorly substantiated criticism of the education system and whose own policy ideas are so obviously ideologically driven.

PETER ROBINSON

Institute for Public Policy Research

London, England