Alwyn Poole: Equity Index Number

There is absolutely no doubt that a child from a home with – low education outcomes of the parents, only one parent in the home, a family history of welfare dependence, low relative income, exposure to violence and neglect, having very few positive role models or obvious pathways to development … is pushing very loose manure uphill with a very wide rake. This is not excuse making – it simply acknowledges that some young people pull themselves up by their boot-laces – but many do not.