A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

What significant educational change occurred during the Coalition government's policies?

1. Introduction of literacy hours

2. Creation of free schools

3. Implementation of Compensatory Policies

4. Launch of City academies

The correct answer is: Creation of free schools

The significant educational change that occurred during the Coalition government's policies is the creation of free schools. This initiative allowed groups, including parents, teachers, and charities, to set up schools that operate independently from local authority control. The aim was to increase parental choice and drive up standards by introducing competition within the education system. Free schools were part of a broader reform agenda to encourage innovation and flexibility in the education sector, reflecting the Coalition's desire to empower communities and promote a greater variety of educational options. While the other options mentioned relate to educational changes, they do not specifically align with the Coalition government's major initiatives. Literacy hours are more associated with earlier educational reforms, while supplementary compensatory policies and city academies evolved from previous governments' frameworks prior to the Coalition's establishment. Thus, the creation of free schools distinctly represents the Coalition's approach to transforming the educational landscape in the UK.