PART lssues and Perspectives of Elementaryand Secondary Education
Chapter 3. Elementary and Secondary Education in Selected Countries
3. The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the decline of academic achievement among
pupils is a most serious concern. The lack of nationally standardized curriculum
and the overemphasis on the interests of pupils are pointed out to be the main
causes of the decline in academic achievement. The Education Reform Act, enacted
in 1988, set up the National Curriculum on major subjects and stipulated the
implementation of the Standard Assessment Task, in order to promote the improvement
of basic academic achievement among pupils. The act also stipulated the strengthening
of the power of the governing bodies of elementary and secondary schools as well
as the measures to expand the opportunities for parents to choose schools. The
Youth Training Scheme has been expanded in cooperation with industries, as a
measure to combat the increase of unemployment among the young. Concerninz the
imnrove?ment of the quality of teachers, minimum standards on the entrance requirement
of teacher training institutions and the amount of hours to be spent on the study
of major subjects have been set up, and subsidies for the in-service training
programs have been provided.