ABSTRACT
Attempts to give parents and pupils a greater choice of school, and hence a larger influence on educational provision, have been widespread in OECD countries. The motives behind this general trend have not everywhere been identical, and the policies that have resulted vary considerably according to the political climate and the institutional and cultural background. Nevertheless, the many features of approaches to school choice-both by supporters and critics-that are common to different countries make international comparisons worthwhile. In particular, the appearance of a number of comparable but relatively new policies across the developed world make it desirable for policy makers to ask ‘How is this working elsewhere?’ when considering options for the future.
