Executive Summary

• More than a decade ago, Sweden reversed its long history of centralized school administration and adopted a school voucher program.
• Allowing parents a choice of schools rapidly expanded the number of independent schools.
• Schools that receive vouchers must except students regardless of ability or background, and must not charge tuition beyond the value of the voucher.
• Independent schools may not consider academic ability as a standard of admission.
• Non-state schools now house more than ten percent of school-age children; most are located in large cities, and few have opened in rural areas, although that is changing.
• Independent schools typically specialize in certain styles of pedagogy; they tend to be smaller in size than municipal schools.
• The growth of private schools has not harmed municipal schools; in fact, they have improved their performance in response to competition for students.
• Independent schools have increased the level of socio-economic diversity, as students from poor neighbourhoods can now attend schools located in more affluent areas.
• The school voucher system has garnered wide public and political acceptance.