Addressing Educational Equity: Student Performance Gaps & Inclusion Strategies

Key Trends in Educational Outcomes (2009-2012)

• Equity in education outcomes deteriorated between 2009 and 2012.

Gender Differences in Academic Performance

• In 2012, girls outperformed boys in reading by an average of 29 score points.
• In 2012, boys outperformed girls by 16 score points in mathematics, a 7-point larger gender gap than seen in 2003.
• Across OECD countries, 42% of students (64% of girls) believe their failure in mathematics is due to a lack of ability. In Spain, this figure rises to 74% of students (80% of girls).

Socioeconomic Origin and Academic Performance

• In 2012, socioeconomically advantaged students outperformed less-advantaged students by 34 score points in mathematics.

Ethnicity and Academic Performance

• The immigrant student population increased, and performance differences persist.
• The proportion of students with an immigrant background increased from 3% in 2003 to 10% in 2012.
• Significant differences in mathematics performance exist between immigrant and non-immigrant students.
• The percentage of high-performing disadvantaged students decreased.

Levels of Educational Exclusion

1. Attendance (Presence)
   1. Those who have never been to school (Total Exclusion)
   2. Those who have dropped out (Early Exclusion)
2. Learning (Participation and Achievement)
   1. Apparent inclusion
   2. Different quality planning and experiences

Towards an Inclusive Education Definition (Ainscow & Miles, 2008)

Inclusion is concerned with all children and young people in schools; it focuses on presence, participation, and achievement. Inclusion and exclusion are intrinsically linked (inclusion involves the active combating of exclusion), and inclusion is seen as a never-ending process.

Five Perspectives on Inclusion:

• Inclusion as concerned with disability and special education needs
• Inclusion as a response to disciplinary exclusions
• Inclusion as being about all groups vulnerable to exclusion
• Inclusion as the promotion of school for all
• Inclusion as Education for All