Education Policy

Comparing the Family Income of Students in British Columbia's Independent and Public Schools finds that, despite common misperceptions, families with children attending non-elite independent schools in British Columbia have essentially the same level of income as families with children in public schools.

Regulation and Funding of Independent Schools: Lessons from Australia examines that country’s education system and highlights its unique funding model for non-government (independent and religious) schools. In Australia, government funding of independent schools varies between 20 and 90 per cent per student (for operating expenses) depending on the average income of the neighbourhood in which the student lives, making them more affordable for lower-income families.

Regulation and Funding of Independent Schools: Lessons from Sweden examines the Scandinavian country’s education reforms since the 1990s, which increased school choice for low- and middle-income families. The study finds as full government funding was extended to independent schools—including for-profit institutions—enrolment in independent schools increased substantially, from less than two per cent of total enrolment in 1992 to more than 14 per cent in 2014 in elementary grades, and more than 25 per cent in upper-secondary grades.