ABSTRACT
Recent school reform efforts in England and the United States have many parallels. Both have combined opposing impulses: more centralization (an increasing role for the central government, as well as state governments in the USA) and more decentralization or devolution (i.e., more decision-making powers and choice to schools and parents). Both countries, but especially England, have seen centralization more than offset devolution, contrary to claims the two were to counterbalance each other. For example, in both nations, national curriculum standards and testing have become issues raising fears for freedom, diversity, and local control. Consequently, both countries have growing reactions against centralization.
