In what ways has the issue of education become more controversial since 1988?

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In what ways has the issue of education become more controversial since 1988?

When answering the question at hand one most first look upon the Education Reform Act of 1988 and understand the changes brought forward by this act.

Firstly there is the issue of Grant Maintained Schools which were introduced in 1988. Primary and Secondary Schools could, under this provision, remove themselves fully from their respective Local Education Authorities and would be completely funded by central government. Secondary schools also had limited selection powers at the age of 11. This went against the whole concept of universal provision because it allowed secondary schools to pick which students it wanted to accept according to its own criteria. This issue was also considered very controversial because it was seen as a un-Thatcher-like thing to do, as it stands out from the rest of the changes brought into place in this act.

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The Local Management of Schools (LMS) was introduced. This part of the act allowed all schools to be taken out of the direct financial control of Local Authorities. Financial control would be handed to the headteacher and governors of a school. This way of devolving responsibility contradicted the centralisation of control, in particular the introduction of Grant Maintained Schools (GMS).

Another new introduction to the education system which was also brought upon by this reform act was the National Curriculum. It ensures that state schools of all Local Education Authorities have a common curriculum. The Education Reform Act ...

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