South Australia's controversial super schools are underperforming South Australia's controversial super schools are underperforming. TELL US: Are you satisfied with your child's super school education? SOUTH Australia's controversial super schools are underperforming - with students testing well below national standards, an analysis of test results shows. The latest national literacy and numeracy test results show students from super schools are performing below those attending schools in a similar socio-economic community. A leading parent body, which warned the State Government about the risks to education standards in super schools four years ago, said results were disappointing. SA Association of State School Organisations has continued to urge the Government to reconsider its decision to close dozens of small schools and funnel students into large hubs. Director David Knuckey said the Government should have listened to parent concerns and developed strategies to combat negative impacts of larger schools so the basic skills of today's students were not compromised. Education Minister Jennifer Rankine did not respond yesterday to specific questions about the performance of the super schools. "A number of the super schools were built in areas of high disadvantage, which is often linked with lower academic achievement," Ms Rankine said. Regardless, it is important that these students receive the best possible education. Australian Education Union SA branch president Correna Haythorpe said feedback on the schools had been fairly positive but it was not a one-size-fits-all model. SA Primary Principals Association president Steve Portlock said principals were very supportive of the super-school project because each replaced smaller schools where the facilities had become run down. "These schools were created with students who come from schools that were in tough areas with many complexities so the fact you put them together adds to the complexity," he said. These results don't show the feeling in the schools of high optimism and pride and I don't think it's an indication of the learning programs being offered. Opposition education spokesman David Pisoni said the Liberal Party had raised its concerns about super schools ever since the project was first announced. He added: "There is plenty of research (showing) large schools in low socio-economic areas increase distance between families and schools. The more family involvement in a child's education, the better the outcomes. The Advertiser also analysed the results of 20 of the state's largest schools. It found private schools with a high number of enrolments were outperforming large public schools.