One reason for the relatively large high school completion rate is that the United States offers a number of "second chances" for students to obtain a high school diploma, including attendance at special school-based programs and obtaining a General Education Credential (GED) credential, usually by passing a high school equivalency examination.

UNESCO: II Part Analytic Section

Earlier this summer Dr Bearman reported, in the American Journal of Sociology, an examination of high-school students' sexual activity and romantic relationships.

ECONOMIST: What maths tells us about us

The Migrants' Rights Network said the test was "like an entry examination for an elite public school".

BBC: UK citizenship test 'to cover Britain's greats'

Despite failing the eleven plus examination he was educated at the local grammar school, thanks to a headmaster who thought Hoggart had talent and insisted the Local Education Authority (LEA) admit him to Cockburn High School.

UNESCO: The Uses of Richard Hoggart

Were the party in favour, it could share in the credit for academies and focus its ire on other aspects of his work such as his proposed overhaul of the school curriculum, which some find too prescriptive, or his criticism of examination standards.

ECONOMIST: Labour��s education divide

In 2007, the museum undertook an extensive examination of the painting, previously attributed to "an anonymous Madrid School artist of the 17th Century", and came to the conclusion that it was an original work by Titian.

BBC: New Titian goes on show in Spain

Once the school system can teach to basic standards, it should pay more attention to collecting detailed data on examination results.

ECONOMIST: Overhauling schools