What do the recent OECD Reports say about the UK education system?
By Steve Besley 12 September 2008 Over the last few months the OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development) has produced some pretty important Reports. Their survey of the UK economy which as the Chancellor solemnly put it revised down growth forecasts, led to widespread headlines over the summer. Closer to education, another summer Report, Jobs for Youth: United Kingdom offered an important critique of an issue that has risen high up the policy agenda, namely how best to help disengaged young people: recent reforms are responding to the challenge but more needs to be done. Two further Reports on education have recently added to the picture; both are important in current circumstances. One is an Economics Dept Working Paper on Raising Education Achievement and Breaking the Cycle of Inequality in the UK, two blood red issues for the price of one and the other is that annual table thudder, the 500 page Education at a Glance Report now for 2008. For those less familia
