Read the LAST paragraph of this article FIRST, then go back to the beginning.
- Highlight or put a ring around issues which relate to the characters Mickey and Edward.
OR
- Write ten bullet points which sum up this article.
OR
- Draft a short reply to Philip Webster outlining your ideas on this topic.
The Times
January 12, 2009
Children of poorer families face as big a hill as ever
Philip Webster, Political Editor
A child’s chances of success still depend largely on the background and earnings of his or her parents despite the billions poured into education in recent years, according to an independent report today.
The Social Mobility Commission, reporting the day before a long-awaited white paper on the subject, finds that social class accounts for much of the gap in attainment between higher and lower achievers. It is evident from the early years that the gap widens as children get older.
Increased spending on education has disproportionately favoured the middle classes, the report says. Last year only 35 per cent of the poorest pupils obtained five or more good-grade GCSEs, compared with 63 per cent of better off children.
While the proportion of poorer children getting degrees has risen by just 3 per cent, the increase among those from wealthier backgrounds is 26 per cent.
Martin Narey, chief executive of the children’s...
