The NAPLAN fine print we missed: the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students is growing

Abstract Aerial Art/Getty Images Last week’s NAPLAN results landed with their usual media splash. There were headlines worrying about the significant proportions of students below certain benchmarks and specific questions about maths results for students in Year 3. One important element missing from the debate so far has been how students from disadvantaged backgrounds are falling further behind their advantaged peers. This gap was already a problem before the latest data. But the most recent…