Value for Money as a School Improvement Strategy: Evidence from the New Inspection System in England∗

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Abstract
The new inspection system in England required for the first time that schools, which now have delegated budgets, be assessed for efficiency and value for money. This development is a decisive thrust in inducing schools to adopt a technicist‐rational approach to school improvement. The paper considers the problems of operationalising the key concepts of efficiency and value for money and the extent to which schools have adopted the rational approach to resource management. Conclusions are derived from a contents analysis of 66 secondary school inspection reports. Very few schools had successfully adopted all elements of the rational resource management model. Most had satisfactory financial management and descriptive school development plans but were weak on costing plans, monitoring and evaluation.

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