Placeboeffekt?
En utvärderande studie av friskolereformen i Halmstads kommuns gymnasieskolor
This thesis is an evaluative study of the political reform, Friskolereformen, which enabled independent schools to receive state funding. The study evaluates to what extent the incentives, which preceded the reform, have been fulfilled. The evaluation is defined to include upper secondary schools in the municipality of Halmstad during the years of 2005?2010. The reform was enacted on the basis that it would result in a higher standard of quality, efficiency and freedom of choice. The result of the study has shown that no significant improvements to the educational quality in the municipality have occurred. Regarding efficiency, the reform has proven to be extremely costly for the local government, since the average cost per pupil has practically doubled over the course of ten years. However, the study has found that the reform has contributed to slightly increase the available educational options in the municipality, and as a consequence of that, improved the freedom of choice. Before a new school can begin to operate, the local politicians have the right to express their opinions to Skolinspektionen (The Swedish School Inspectorate), even though their say is only advisory. The politicians comment on whether the new schools would have a positive or negative influence on the local educational system. The study has found these comments to be highly influenced by their political conviction and not by actual facts.