The effect of school quality on educational attainment and wages

Understand this issue

Why are universities in financial trouble?

podcast

Why are universities struggling, what happens if they go bust and what can government do to help? What other challenges do the HE and FE sectors face?

21 August 2024

The school funding challenges awaiting the new government

comment

There’s little time to celebrate for Labour’s education team because they face immediate challenges on teacher pay and school funding

5 July 2024

Childcare and the early years: what are the new entitlements and how will they be delivered?

explainer

IFS Associate Director Christine Farquharson explains.

1 July 2024

Policy analysis

Free breakfast clubs in schools: what Labour’s plans would mean for pupils and families

comment

Labour’s manifesto promises free breakfast clubs in all primary schools. This comment examines possible benefits and challenges with the policy.

25 June 2024

The uncertain course for school and college funding over the next parliament

comment

This piece analyses the 2024 general election manifesto commitments on school and college funding from the main UK political parties.

19 June 2024

Labour’s plans to build childcare spaces in schools will nudge the market in a different direction – but not transform it

comment

The plans announced today may nudge the childcare market in a different direction – but certainly won’t transform it.

9 June 2024

Academic research

Preschool quality and child development

journal article

Globally, preschool enrollment has surged, but its quality is often poor. We evaluate strategies to improve quality of public preschools in Colombia.

8 July 2024

Early home visiting delivery model and maternal and child mental health at primary school age

working paper

We study the mental health impacts of a prenatal and infancy home visiting program for disadvantaged families, assessed through diagnostic interviews.

30 July 2024

Imagine your life at 25: Gender conformity and later-life outcomes

working paper

We analyse thousands of essays written by 11-year-old girls in 1969 to assess conformity with gender norms and its implications for future outcomes.

29 July 2024