TEST ONLY

1. Changes in Policies Increased Autonomy for schools in the 1980s Moved from centralised control Students to benefit from Principals educational leadership Common Examinations but flexibility for experimentation Well-established schools allowed autonomy Staff deployment, salaries, finance, management, cirriculum 1

2. Independent schools seen as elitist... Autonomous status now has to be applied for; and contingent upon sustained performance May choose administrative services from private companies or hire Operations and Administration Managers Can determine their admission policies, school fees, budgets and school fees 2

3. School reforms 1990s to present 28 School Clusters in 2007 headed by a superintendent Education Endowment (for enrichment) provided for schools to draw from None of the schools have moved away from subject based curriculum Possible establishment of private schools discussed in 2001 3

4. Inter-School competition ‘O’ levels and ‘A’ levels results publicised Competition focussed on ranking Schools dropped Literature to adjust score amidst Arts Minister’s call for focus on the Arts and Literature Some schools unable to compete due to vicious cycle of low performing students Competition detrimental to cooperation within cluster Aspects of Marketing -Product 1 4

5. To move away from Inter-school Ranking competiveness Some schools take IP or IB route School Excellence Model (SEM) 2000, appraises own-school performance Internal assessment submitted to School Appraisal Branch every 5 years Schools encouraged to apply for SPRING Singapore Quality Class award 2003 Enhanced Performance Management System (to appraise Principals and teachers) 5

6. Tensions: Between risk adverse behaviour and sustained change Decentralisation vs ever tightening grip on inter-school competition (ranking) and external reviews Drill and practice vs critical and creative thinking skills TSLN vs performance (result based competition) 6