Ms Andrea Feeney:

There was a study done going back a number of years in respect of that relationship. It was a third level study. It is an interesting piece of research. It is not research that the SEC would engage in because it looks at an issue that we really do not have any control over. It is also the case that in some respects the levelling is happening through the assessment process. Other things happen in the lead-up to the assessment process whereby students have access to different supports, parental supports in the home and grinds. The quality of teaching and learning can come into it as well. We are not able to measure the individual’s quality of teaching and learning. Maybe there is a reason why they are looking for additional supports. There are broader issues. There is research going back a number of years on it. We can certainly check and get back to the committee.