The article 'Bradley targets threatened by high drop-out rates among disadvantaged students' could be read as implying that the low retention rate among institutions with good equity performance is caused by these students being under prepared for the rigours of the university.

Equity experts agree with research findings that the metrics for measuring socioeconomic status (SES) are problematic. But they disagree that it really matters.

Editorial introductrion from the CSE special issue 'New capacities for student equity and widening participation in higher education'

Abstract
The Australian Government has recently signalled its intention to fund programs that assist in 'raising' the aspirations of low socio-economic status (SES) students. However, this objective can imply that low-SES students lack adequate aspirations for their future. This implication supports deficit views of low-SES students and elides the aspirations that families and communities do hold for their futures.

Abstract
There is a changed 'structure of feeling' emerging in higher education systems, particularly in OECD nations, in response to changed social, cultural and economic arrangements. Taking a student equity perspective, the paper names this change in terms of 'mobility', 'aspiration' and 'voice'.

Special issue of Critical Studies in Education, 'New Capacities for Student Equity and Widening Participation in Higher Education', edited by Trevor Gale. Features papers by Sam Sellar & Trevor Gale, Gareth Parry, Jane Kenway & Anna Hickey-Moody, Lisa Smith, Julie McLeod, Christine Hockings, and a conversation with guest speakers at the 2010 Student Equity in Higher Education National Conference.

The Go8 has broken ranks with other university groups in suggesting that base funding shouldn't have an equity component.