Subject scaling is supposed to make the ATAR fair across different Year 12 subjects. But in practice it systematically rewards students at advantaged schools and punishes everyone else. 2025 Victorian data: a raw score of 30 in Latin (offered at a tiny number of elite private schools) scaled to 46. A raw 40 in agricultural/horticultural studies (top 10% of the subject) scaled down to 34. The pattern is stable year after year. Students from low-SES backgrounds and rural schools are more likely to take subjects that scale down because those subjects are the ones their school can offer. Meanwhile kids at elite schools with a full menu of 'hard' subjects get a free boost. The system doesn't create inequality. It just measures it stamps a rank on it and calls it fair. Reform the funding formula. Resource every school properly. This whole algorithm becomes obsolete. #auspol #vicpol #education https://theconversation.com/how-does-subject-scaling-work-for-year-12-and-why-is-it-unfair-289217 https://vic.fusionparty.org.au/policies/fund-the-outer-suburbs