Accountability systems in education are designed not only to check that rules are followed but also to raise the quality of teaching and learning. Yet the actual effect of school inspections on performance remains unclear and difficult to measure. This project examines the effectiveness of the Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s evaluations using a quasi-experimental matching method, comparing similar schools with and without inspections.

By applying this rigorous approach, the project aims to generate new insights into whether inspections contribute to meaningful improvements in student achievement and school development. The findings can help inform policymakers and education leaders on how accountability tools can be used more effectively.

Research team: Axel Norgren (Stockholm School of Economics), Iman Dadgar (Stockholm School of Economics)