London’s low emission zone improved children’s exam scores, study claims
London’s low emission zone (LEZ) “significantly” improved primary school children’s exam scores, a London School of Economics (LSE) study has claimed.
Academics analysed key stage 2 test results of 10- and 11-year-olds living within Greater London and compared them with their counterparts from a control group made up of children from 20 large cities in England.
They discovered a “meaningful improvement” in test scores with an average 0.09 standard deviation increase in results compared to the pupils outside London.
The researchers claimed the magnitude of this effect is “similar to reducing class size by 10 students or paying teachers large financial bonuses, and almost equivalent to significantly increasing average teacher quality”.
The authors, who say their research was the first of its kind and filled a gap in knowledge, concluded: “The analysis reveals a statistically and economically significant improvement in test scores for students located within the Low Emission Zones compared with those in a control group.
“Importantly, it also finds that the LEZ policy has larger positive effects in low-performing schools, demonstrating its potential to significantly reduce educational disparities, and growing positive impacts over time.”
A number of academic papers about the capital’s controversial road policies have been criticised amid claims they have been used for political gain.
The LSE paper notes that the Greater London LEZ was introduced in 2008 and has “evolved into one of the largest and most rigorous traffic regulation policies”.
The LEZ requires buses, heavy goods vehicles and coaches to meet Euro IV standards on emissions. Failure to comply can result in a fine of between £250 and £1,000.