Implications of Autonomy and Networks for Costs and Inclusion: Comparing Patterns of School Spending under Different Governance Systems

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Implications of Autonomy and Networks for Costs and Inclusion: Comparing Patterns of School Spending under Different Governance Systems
Language: English
Authors: Davies, Peter (ORCID 0000-0002-7166-1290), Diamond, Colin, Perry, Thomas (ORCID 0000-0002-6124-467X)
Source: Educational Management Administration & Leadership. Jan 2021 49(1):128-144.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Educational Finance, Governance, Expenditures, Secondary Schools, Public Schools, Charter Schools, School Based Management, School Districts, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1177/1741143219888738
ISSN: 1741-1432
Abstract: Policy reform around the globe has increased the autonomy that schools enjoy in spending on resources. This reform assumes that schools face strong incentives to use their resources to maximise pupil attainment and that they know best how to spend their money to achieve this aim. This study provides evidence of the relationship between governance and how schools choose to spend their money. It uses data for all state-funded secondary schools in England for the academic years 2009/10, 2011/12 and 2015/16. This enables a comparison of schools operating under three forms of governance: local authority maintained schools (LAMs); schools operated as a single 'academy' trust outside local authority control (SATs); or those in a network of academy schools governed by a multi-academy trust (MATs). The data provide no support for claims that academy schools will spend less on administration or that networks of schools will enjoy economies of scale. The data do show that academy schools spent proportionately less on teacher salaries and educational support, and more on back office costs, after taking account of pupil characteristics.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1279998
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Policy reform around the globe has increased the autonomy that schools enjoy in spending on resources. This reform assumes that schools face strong incentives to use their resources to maximise pupil attainment and that they know best how to spend their money to achieve this aim. This study provides evidence of the relationship between governance and how schools choose to spend their money. It uses data for all state-funded secondary schools in England for the academic years 2009/10, 2011/12 and 2015/16. This enables a comparison of schools operating under three forms of governance: local authority maintained schools (LAMs); schools operated as a single 'academy' trust outside local authority control (SATs); or those in a network of academy schools governed by a multi-academy trust (MATs). The data provide no support for claims that academy schools will spend less on administration or that networks of schools will enjoy economies of scale. The data do show that academy schools spent proportionately less on teacher salaries and educational support, and more on back office costs, after taking account of pupil characteristics.
ISSN:1741-1432
DOI:10.1177/1741143219888738