Education (The Economist, September 17th 2011)

- Dan Goldhaber of the University of Washington claims that "non-school factors", such as family income, account for as much as 60% of a child's performance in school.

- schools free of government control and run by non-state providers are adding quality to the mix

- An emphasis on better teacher quality is a common feature of all reforms. Countries like Finland and South Korea make life easier for themselves by recruiting only elite graduates, and paying them accordingly.

- The four secrets of success : decentralisation (handing power back to schools) ; a choice of underachieving pupils ; a choice of different sorts of schools ; and high standards for teachers.