... do not get to grips with the fundamental issue that public education is effectively a monopoly, and, like any other monopoly, works to maximise the benefits to producers rather than to consumers. On this line of argument what is necessary is fundamental institutional reform that opens up education to competitive market forces.

     The above quotation is taken from Chapter One of Taking Education Seriously, a book about to be published by the Centre for Independent Studies. In his book Gannicott offers a detailed and persuasive argument in favour of what he identifies as the next wave of school reform, based on America's "charter schools".
     Charter schools are schools that, while being publicly funded and publicly owned, are self governing according to a performance contract agreed to between government and whoever establishes the school. The contract clearly defines what the school's goals and objectives will be and imposes a strong accountability system to ensure that they are met.
     Within the broad guidelines used to establish and accredit charter schools there is flexibility for each school to decide how it will be managed, including hiring staff and setting pay and work conditions, and what will be taught. As such, each school is responsive to its community and able to offer a unique educational experience directed at the needs of its students.
     As argued by Gannicott, the strength of charter schools is that they break down the power and influence of self interested groups and put control into the hands of parents. By freeing up the school system parents are in a position to "vote with their feet" if they are unhappy with the current school their children attend.
     It is also important to note that whereas school reform in England and Australia has restricted itself to existing schools, many American states allow groups or individuals to establish new charter schools outside the existing school system. Examples include universities, charitable organisations and private corporations acting as sponsoring organisations.
     While charter schools are a recent innovation, there is mounting evidence of their popularity and success. During 1996-1997 the American based Hudson Institute undertook a survey of 50 charter schools involving 16,000 students across 10 states.
     The survey, entitled "Charter Schools As Seen by Those Who Know Them Best: Students, Teachers and Parents", showed that Afro-American and Hispanic students achieved better results on moving to charter schools. The survey also found that charter schools offered a more beneficial and constructive educational environment compared to non-charter schools.
     More significantly, given the criticism that freedom of choice will lead to inequality, is the survey's finding that nearly half of the students attending charter schools are from minority groups. The reality is that may charter schools are in disadvantaged inner urban areas and they appear to be meeting success where the traditional education system failed.
     As noted by Gannicott, the beneficial impact of charter schools is not restricted to the classroom. Research is beginning to show that involving parents in charter schools also increases a community's stock of what is termed "social capital". This is because charter schools allow parents to involve themselves, to meet others and to strengthen their civic virtues.
     Australian schools have undergone an intense period of dramatic change and some might argue that nothing further needs to be done. What such critics forget is that any organisation must continually search for improvement and benchmark itself against best practice. As such, Gannicott's book should be widely read.