Schools of Choice

Although education systems each provide the raw materials that students require for future success, parents are in fact in the best position to choose the schooling context that is right for their children.

The following excerpt from our UWA research program explains;

"Research has demonstrated that school selection effects occur at two levels (see Le & Miller, 2002, 2003): one based on observable factors (academic track record, reputation, facilities, fees, location), the other based on factors that are not readily observable (the demandingness and responsiveness characteristics of the school including; structure, academic press, student-focused climate, social environment of the school, organisational culture, community spirit and home support).

It is clear that while information pertaining to the more observable factors is readily available to bureaucrats, those factors in the second category can only be assessed with validity by seeking input from parents.

This point was made by Bast and Walberg (2004), who recommended that decision-making is best put in the hands of those who are closest to and most familiar with a situation, thus parents are frequently best placed to make decisions about school choices. What is clear from our review of the school choice literature is that at this point, no quantitative measures exist to assist families choose the school that might best suit the needs and preferences of their children.

It is in this respect that parents are at a disadvantage in making good school choices. This obstacle, however, is entirely surmountable".

Parents need no longer be disadvantaged in their school of choice decision-making.

HiScore now provides online access to the evaluation tools required by families to make informed decisions. Informed choice directly benefits children and improves the learning environment of all schools. When a pupil-school mismatch occurs, everyone suffers!