Zones of contention, by the left-of-centre Institute for Public Policy Research, said the private sector has largely ignored the schemes, which sought to attract private sector money to raise educational attainment in some of the UK's most deprived areas.
Education Action Zones were introduced by the new Labour Government in 1997 and combine representatives from the voluntary sector, health authorities, social services and businesses. Currently 73 EAZs operate in England, serving 1,444 schools and covering six per cent of the school population.
The report said, 'Our evidence leads us to suggest that policy making and implementation processes have already dampened some of the innovatory potential of EAZs. In spite of their promotion as "test beds", the average zone appears to have become a combination of a traditional school improvement service and an education business partnership.
'In terms of education policy, EAZs have moved from flagship to backseat, mentioned far less frequently by ministers.' The report also questioned the amount of money raised from the private sector and said that despite education minister Estelle Morris claiming that businesses had pledged 43m in sponsorship for EAZs in June 2000, many of the claims are 'hugely optimistic, and based on vague pledges of support'.
A Department for Education spokeswoman denied that the zones were failing and might be phased out. She said, 'The zones are very successful in that they have exceeded the national improvements in Key Stage 1 and 2 test results.
'Funding is continuing for another two years for the 25 first round zones, while another two years' funding for the 43 second round zones will depend on an assessment of their performance this summer.'
