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Plan for New Breed of English Schools Gains Ground

Charter-like ‘trust schools’ would spread innovation, Blair government argues.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s proposal last fall to create a new breed of independent, publicly financed schools—an English twist on American charter schools—has made plenty of waves across the Atlantic. But while the initiative has riled many lawmakers in his own Labor Party, it now appears headed for approval by Parliament.

The full House of Commons was scheduled this week to hold extensive debate and a vote on the measure, part of a larger package of school legislation. The main question, it seems, is how many Labor lawmakers will vote against the prime minister.

Much like in the United States, efforts to introduce greater market forces into public education are steadily gaining ground in England, but the path is rarely a smooth one, and the political...