I do agree that the scores should not be lowered for anyone regardless, except maybe Indigenous Australians, which is an different issue. Uni is for the elite but not should not be just rich.

I sat my Uni entrance exam (STAT test) and scored in the top 5%. Rules should not be changed for low ses students but the real support they need is not there. That is why in the last 15 years their has been no improvement. Lowering entry scores for these students is not a solution to these kids problems that do need addressing. To financially support students that could easily be support by their parents and then say there is no money to help capable ses students go to uni, is the biggest problem.

You have no idea what it is like. I am 29 with 3 kids. My out of pocket day care fees have nearly doubled. I now have to pay $261 per week for day care. My income is $248(Government). My house is now for sale to pay for me to finish my degree. (1 year 2 weeks to go)My husband is working 60 hours a week but after out weekly bills we have only $53 a week for food, clothes and general living expenses. My husband and I have lost nearly 30kilos in the last 3 months as we are saving our food for the kids. I can not relate to the students at uni but who do I go to? No one I know can relate to me, it is the most horrible feeling.
I have a 300mhz, 10gig computer, no laptop no mobile phone. I had to use one of my sons old school books as a note book as I can not afford one. I miss readings from books as I can not afford them. I sit there hungry in class watching the other students. They scoff when they get put with me. I am a good person and do not deserve what I get. All low ses students get the same treatment, not just me.

I was the parent committee President for 5 years at one of the schools with the lowest national scores in WA. I know these sorts of kids and families from many perspectives. They are ‘injured’ not deficient! and as we all know ‘injuries’ can take a long time and a lot of money to heal, so do it!

How can Child care rebates not be means tested and more support given to struggles? Did you know that someone earning hundreds of thousands a year gets the same childcare rebate as me? Did you also know you get more money on the dole than you do on astudy? As well as rent assistance is only given on unemployment.

The middle class majority do not want low-ses students there, it is as clear as day, but they have me now and I am loud and will fight for these kids!.

Well thanks for replying and I hope people see how unfairly these children are being judged, they are not stupid, just lost.

One explanation for the success of low SES students who do make it to uni is that they are particularly resilient and determined, and have not just coasted into uni as middle class students can.

As for your case study, I’m not sure we have any disagreement on this general point.

This is also my uni posting on this topic. Hope it opens your eyes and if it doesn’t I can tell you worse stories.

Hi all,
I just wanted to express my views on this topic of class. I have now read more than once, that students from low ses backgrounds have no excuse not to go on to uni.

By saying this you are just showing you have no idea of what some of these kids face on a daily basis.

I agree if you have support, resiliency, and a belief in yourself you can make it even if you are from a low ses area.

These things are often learnt by example. Parents in these areas often lack these skills for themselves.

When you are emerged in an environment full of people that lack confidence, self belief and resiliency skills, it is not hard to see the world as to intimidating, cruel and a place where you are not wanted.

Try and imagine you are living in a house with 11 people. You sleep in the lounge with your mum her boyfriend and your baby brother (in the wheel barrow). You are not being feed properly, so you are hungry a lot. You do not sleep properly because your ’support’ is off their face making noise all night. You have had a cold for 3 months but it is cold and you do not have a jacket. Last night was bad because mums boyfriend tied a noose around his neck and threatened to kill himself for over two hours. Mum was no better because she has just popped two anti-psychotic drugs even though she is not psychotic. You are secretly glad she did pop the drugs though, because last time she cut herself pretty bad when they fought.

Oh yeah I for got to mention, Mum self harms because she does not believe in herself. There are no books in my house. No one to talk to about me. I am a burden. My mum loves me just as much as yours, but she lacks so much. It is not her choice. She hates her self for not coping but does not know better.

Is there nothing different about my situation it is only money hey?.

The above case is mild compared to what I can tell you about the kids from 1 class from 1 school.

As teachers unfortunately we can not control the outside forces that are influencing children, ie family situation. We are also not there to judge. Parents come as they are.

What we can do is believe in our students. Encourage them to believe in themselves. Teach them resiliency. Help them to realise that the world out there is reachable for them and believe it yourself.