Parents Matter!

Today’s must read comes from London’s Independent: Britain’s closest equivalent to No Child Left Behind calls for parents, not the state, to take over failing schools.

Sweeping new powers for parents to bring about the sacking of head teachers (principals) of under-performing schools have been spelt out in Tony Blair’s long-awaited White Paper on education.

Parents were also given the green light to set up and run their own schools (convert a district school to a charter) – with local education authorities facing a veto if they turn applications down. The White Paper – Higher Standards, Better Schools For All – also envisages giving more power to pupils in secondary schools (to be involved in hiring new teachers).

– Guest blogger Goldstein Gone Wild