An interesting article considering various aspects of the attainment gap in light of the SSLN (Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy) in Scotland and how austerity and poverty impact on this. Well worth a read.
I respond in the comments below the article:
Super article and I agree with many points. Our greatest shame is the attainment gap and how we are failing those who need the transformational power of education the most - and it is now urgent that we do all we can to eradicate poverty at every level. However, I also feel that it is essential that we teach all of our children how to read, regardless of their social-economic background or barriers, instead of using that as an excuse. This is what will ensure a level playing field throughout school. It is entirely possible to teach all of our children how to read - it is being done in many schools England. In particular, there are schools with high levels of deprivation / poverty and high numbers of children who have English as a second language - that manage to not only close the gender gap - but close the attainment gap too. We need to equip our own teachers with the skills and knowledge to do this in Scotland. We cannot afford to wait for poverty to be sorted out, but more importantly neither can our children.