Although there was not a "perfect match" between tests and inspection results, Ofsted said that there was a "broad match" and that a high proportion of headteachers considered inspectors' assessment to be fair and accurate.
David Reynolds, chairman of the government's numeracy taskforce, says that the teaching methods he prescribes are ones that are common both in those British schools which get good inspection reports and in countries whose pupils perform best in international tests.
The researchers examined the prevailing inspection system called On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II), which tests for excessive carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, and also checks the power-train systems for problems that might eventually lead to elevated emissions levels.