Educational Attainment

• Educational Attainment

  The poverty-related educational attainment gap acts as both a cause and effect of income inequality - creating a cycle of poverty.

  Young people in poverty face issues that impact their ability and opportunities in school.

  More susceptable to adverse childhood experiences - poor physical and mental health -> absent days

  Distraction in class - hunger/poor clothing

  Limits ability to strive in learning environment and gain qualifications -> unemployment.
• Education Attainment - EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS

  Pass Rate of SQA exams is consistantly lower in areas of deprivation. In 2021, the pass rate for higher students in the least deprived areas was 90%, compared to 80% in the most deprived areas.

  10% difference shows the gap between those in poverty and those more well off, making them less likely to succeed in life -> impact on incomes.
• Education Attainment - REBUTTAL

  Scottish Government have taken many measures to reduce this gap, example; Pupil Equity Fund.

  AIM: To provide opportunities for pupils living in poverty/recieving free school meals.

  School recieves £1,200 per child on free school meals - used to support children in literacy, numeracy, or health and wellbeing.

  This has been largely unsuccessful
• Education Attainment - REBUTTAL (EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS)

  Since its implementation in 2015 with child poverty rates being at 24%, these have climbed back up again after initailly reducing to 26% in 2022/2023.

  With the interim target being 18% in 2024, this demonstrates how the scottish government has been unsuccessful at targeting child poverty rates and income inequality as an extension.
• Educational Attainment - EVALUATION

  As a cause of income inequalities it is the most significant, as the attainment gap continues to grow instead of reducing, causing severe income inequalities and the inability to escape poverty.