Schools contribute to inequality
May 23, 2018
Social and economic inequalities in schools is reflected in NAPLAN results. Schools with children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Year Five are two and a half years behind more advantaged schools in English, two years behind in Maths. By Year Nine, this has grown to four years in reading and numeracy, four and a half years in writing.
It's ironic that social and economic disadvantage is simply increased with schooling. The gap between the highest and lowest performing schools is the third largest in the OECD countries. Only Chile and Turkey have greater inequalities.
The recent report from the Committee for Economic Development in Australia (CEDA) suggests the answer is in socially integrated schools and intervening early if students start to fall behind.
This shameful gap needs to be addressed.
Rich Schools, Poor Schools
Australia’s schooling system is among the most highly segregated in the OECD. Public schools educate the majority of disadvantaged students, while there is concentrated advantage in private schools.
This situation can be attributed, in large part, to our school funding arrangements. Recent research
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Hurry if you haven't sorted Book Week
As Term 3 is almost upon us, if you haven't sorted a Book Week incursion, hurry! If you're flexible with dates, you might be able to swing one of our great shows.
See our Book Week Shows here.
Image: Something Special Live - Available NSW, QLD, ACT,VIC,SA & WA
Livestream version available nationally
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Naidoc Week in 2026
The next cultural day to celebrate nationally is NAIDOC week. This year on 5-12 July, when all Australian schools are on holiday. The likely time schools could celebrate is the first week of July, when some states are still at school.
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