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The Market Forces? The Effect of Local Management of Schools on Special Educational Needs Provision
Author(s) -
Vincent Carol,
Evans Jennifer,
Lunt Ingrid,
Young Pam
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british educational research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.171
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1469-3518
pISSN - 0141-1926
DOI - 10.1080/0141192940200302
Subject(s) - individualism , element (criminal law) , public relations , position (finance) , work (physics) , special education , special needs , business , sociology , public administration , political science , economics , pedagogy , market economy , psychology , engineering , mechanical engineering , finance , psychiatry , law
ABSTRACT This paper explores the approaches taken by local education authorities (LEAs) to the funding and organisation of provision for special educational needs (SEN) under local management of schools (LMS). LMS is seen as playing a central role in the new right's attempts to introduce market ‘realities’ into public sector organisations. It is argued that a more market‐oriented discourse, with its concomitant emphasis on individualism, is taking hold in LEAs, and this is illustrated by references to developments in special education in two case study authorities. The two LEAs respond differently to this situation. However, it is concluded that, despite these variations, LEAs are increasingly in a position where they are having to adapt to a more market‐oriented culture. One element of this is that responsibility for pupils with special needs (particularly those without statements) is increasingly becoming that of the school alone. However, arrangements for ensuring and monitoring that provision remain unclear.