[2][3] To achieve such an outcome, evidence & research based advice was needed to influence government thinking, justify policy change, and set priorities so leading to the reallocation of resources used for education.
[5] The enquiries by the councils followed by the publication of their findings in reports were simply the first step to achieving the change needed to improve children's lives for the better.
[12] The reports often achieved their aims slowly by influencing government though exerting political pressure and extracting commitments which eventually led to the change needed to improve the lives of children.
[17] To this purpose and over their 22 year lifespan, the councils investigated some of the most pertinent educational questions of the time with the results of their most important enquiries being published in reports by His Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO).
[18] In addition the Ministry of Education sometimes received advice in the form of reports from the councils but then chose not to publish, these are on public records at the National Archives in Kew.
[85][86] After the issuance of the Plowden report, the final meeting of the central advisory council for education (England) was held on 16 October 1966, with the tenure of all the members allowed to expire on 30 November 1966.
[87] Similarly, after the issuance of the Gittins report, the equivalent council for Wales met in March 1967 and the tenure of their members was also allowed to expire shortly afterwards.