For a solution to the religious choice issue that could build
on existing strengths,the Irish system could learn
from the variety of experiences of American states
with private "charter" schools which have been set
up to provide an alternative to poorly performing
public schools,especially those serving black and
hispanic Americans. Charters do not receive as
much financing as traditional American high
schools run by elected school boards,but to
compensate for low funding they are generally
allowed to operate with great autonomy,freed
of the onerous bureaucracy and trade union
domination associated with public schools.
Charters are similar in many respects to the
Irish system.

For a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses,
see Fordham Foundation's article by Chester E Finn,Jr.,a leading critic of America's education establishment:

http://us.f560.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLe ... &box=Inbox