The ABC's Fact Checking unit has disputed a claim by the Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne that schools with more autonomy achieved better student outcomes.
"All international evidence points to the fact that the more autonomous a school, the better the outcomes for students,'' Mr Pyne said on a recent episode of ABC1's Q&A.
He said the Western Australia's Independent Public Schools Initiative, which was launched in 2010, had been a success. A third of public school's in the state now have the power to choose their own staff, and have more control over their curriculum and budgets.
However, in its report, the ABC said there had been no measured improvement in Independent Public Schools in WA.
"All international evidence does not point to the fact that the more autonomous a school, the better the outcomes for students,'' said the report.
Mr Pyne recently reaffirmed the Federal Coalition's election pledge to work with the states and territories to make 25% of public schools across Australia “independent” by 2017.