Method to integrate social values in decisions on school siting

Purpose and goal:

In Sweden, deregulation on the school market in 1992 gave authorities new conditions for organizing and siting schools. The assignment is made more difficult by the fact that parent´s school choise for their children is driving social segregation in the schools. The purpose is to shed light on how various tools used in the processes of siting schools can be developed so that requirements for sustainable accessibility to schools, and social integration in schools and society are more clearly expressed in the decisions.

Expected results and effects:

The effect goal in the short term is to shed light on conflicts and opportunities to develop social values in local school planning and decision-making tools, with the aim of reducing uncertainties in the decisions. The long-term goal is for social values to be clarified and taken into account in both municipal and state decisions, even when they arise in a sector other than where decisions are made.

Approach and implementation:

A value calculation method based on SROI-methodology (Social Return on Investment) is developed with the aim of evaluating costs and social benefits in connection with the siting of local, state schools. Case studies are used to shed light on the various social effects of school siting, using a combination of objective and subjective measurements. The project is carried out in close collaboration with two local authorities where several administrations will be involved in developing and testing the value calculation method in school planning processes.