| This PLATO examines the political climate in Great Britain throughout the 1980s, particularly as it relates to the attempt by Parliament to improve public education.; Public education in Great Britain had been declining in quality when the Conservative Party swept into power and passed the Education (Reform) Act of 1989, which they touted as the solution for reversing Britain's education decline.; This legislation created a National Curriculum, instituted assessment (testing) and accountability measures, and developed grant-maintained schools and other parental choice options.; The Education (Reform) Act of 1989, however, did not have near the impact on public education as the Conservative Party had hoped.; The process of developing and implementing the policy, not the policy itself, was the primary reason the Education (Reform) Act of 1989 did not achieve its objective of improving education. Had the Conservative-led Parliament included educators in the development, implementation, and evaluation of this policy, the Education (Reform) Act of 1989 would have had a more substantial impact on the quality of British public education. |
