In recent years, the Excellence in Cities policy has been the UK government’s flagship
policy for raising standards in inner-city schools. The policy now covers over one-third of
secondary schools in England. In this paper, we evaluate its effectiveness in raising
performance in national tests of Mathematics and English for pupils of age 14 and in
increasing attendance at school. We find the policy to have had a positive impact on
school attendance and performance in Mathematics (though not for English). There is
marked heterogeneity in the effectiveness of the policy. Its greatest impact has been in
more disadvantaged schools and on the performance of middle-high ability students
within these schools. A back-of-envelope cost-benefit analysis suggests that the policy is
likely to be cost-effective.
This evaluation contributes to the debate on the potential effectiveness of
resource-based policies; the efficacy of policies designed to improve educational
outcomes of high school pupils (as opposed to early years interventions); and ways in
which policies can help turn around the fortunes of inner city schools.
Presented by:
Sandra McNally (Centre for Economic Performance) (joint with Stephen Machin and Costas Meghir)
Date & time:
March 6, 2006 4:00 pm - March 6, 2006 12:00 am
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