I’m really disappointed in the commentary on the Victorian [Australia] governments release of the “On Track” survey showing the paths that 2003 Year 12 students have taken this year. Not surprisingly the survey has found that a greater proportion of students from private schools go on to university than students from state schools. In fact nearly twice as many students from private schools followed this path than their counterparts in state schools. I am deeply saddened that this has been the headline datum reported from the survey. Even worse, the figure has been reported as showing that state schools are failing.
For an example of this commentary see We need to lift the standard of state schools Green’s article is only half bad. He makes some good points along the way. But the last line is a shocker.