Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to consider effective and the efficient management of education through analysing the reform of local educational management by the "New" Labour government in the UK, focusing in particular on the "Education Development Plan" (EDP), which is one of the most essential elements in their reform policy. Management reform is increasingly popular in the modern world, and Japan is no exception to this trend. In 1994 an Administrative Reform Committee was organised in Japan. According to their report, Japan Government policy is not as flexible and efficient as one might expect. The committee also established broadly applicable standards for judging overall management. Three fundamental principles were established : 1) the principle that whatever the private sector can do should be left to the private sector 2) the principle of efficient administration, i.e., putting the people first 3) accountability and openness In England from the 1980s governments have been tackling management reform, and they have already produced some results. The last Conservative government's policy was to both increase the centralization of power and to discourage reliance on the state, so the power of local government was reduced. However, the "New" Labour Government intends to revitalise the role of local government and to foster tripartite cooperation between the central government, the local government and the local community, thereby providing an effective and efficient service for all people. Central to this reform is the principle known as "Best Value". "Best Value" is the continuous search by the entire local council to find ways of improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of all its activities for the public. The EDP was introduced by the "New" Labour Government. The EDP will set out the Local Education Authority's (LEA) targets and priorities for a school improvement programme for the next three years. For this government, the first priority is "raising standards" in educational reform. LEA's are expected to challenge schools to raise standards and support good management and leadership in schools by liaising with schools and with school governing bodies. "Best Value" will be delivered principally through EDP. The "Best Value" framework and EDP will be the main vehicles by which LEAs fulfil their new duty to promote high standards in education. The EDP has two parts: -Statement of proposal : Setting targets The school improvement programme -Supporting information After approval by the Secretary of State, LEA's will abide by the provisions of the EDP from April 1999, and the EDP will be inspected by OFSTED. The introduction of the EDP is intended to bring about the following four developments: 1) LEA's must work effectively with schools and other partners to raise standards for all pupils 2) Schools should set challenging and realistic targets that contribute to LEA and national targets 3) Make LEAs publicly accountable to schools, parents and the local community for their role in raising standards 4) Show the success of LEA's in helping their schools improve In this paper, I have analysed two LEA's, Cumbria LEA and Kent LEA, and highlighted four key aspects of effective and efficient administration. 1) planning 2) cost effectiveness 3) monitoring 4) accountability
