Low standards: Sub-par students let into teaching and nursing

Education experts fear letting sub-standard students into
 teaching courses could lower standards. Picture: Thinkstock 

HUNDREDS of Year 12 graduates who scored less than 50 in their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) are being offered university places in critical areas of nursing and teaching.

The Undergraduate Applications, Offers and Acceptances 2012 report found Year 12 applicants in the "50.00 or less" ATAR band have recorded the largest increase in the rate of university offers.

Twenty-four per cent of under-50 ATAR applicants were likely to be offered a place this year compared to 12 per cent in 2009.

Education and nursing were two of the largest contributors to that increase, with 532 education students and 373 nursing students not making past 50 at school but still being offered places the following year.

Education experts fear the increase could lower teacher standards and affect the future career prospects of our children.

- adelaidenow.com.au