Does Grouping Students By Ability Work?

One of the oldest and the most controversial forms of education is ability grouping of students. It has always been a topic of debate among academic researchers and child psychologists whether students should be differentiated and grouped according to their academic aptitude.

Even after years of debates and controversies about this dynamic topic, the question has still been persistent - does grouping students by ability work? Ability grouping can be within the classroom or by separating students into classrooms based on ability. Many believe that rather than maintaining heterogeneous classrooms, homogeneous classrooms created based on aptitude would be more effective and worthwhile. Other experts believe that this may create a feeling of inferiority among students who are not in the "smarter" classrooms, which could result in depression, lack of concentration, and other destructive symptoms. Thus, during a discussion about ability grouping, it is important that consider all the pros and cons.

Advantages of Ability Grouping

Proponents of ability grouping use the following arguments in support of their stance -

1. Increases pace: Ability grouping helps in placing similar students in one classroom or group. Thus, it helps in increasing the pace of advancement of the study skills of the students at higher levels of ability. The higher standard students can grasp concepts within a shorter time as compared to other students and can be allowed to move forward. Otherwise, in a heterogeneous classroom, the better students would have to wait for the others to understand a particular topic, as a result losing time and decreasing the pace of their growth and development.

2. Individual attention: Providing individual attention is difficult in a heterogeneous classroom, since teachers almost have no choice but to give equal attention to all students present. However, in the case of a homogeneous classroom, teachers can concentrate on teaching the students at the pace of that particular group, thus enhancing their learning process and helping them to pick up the lessons faster than otherwise.

3. Boosts confidence: In a heterogeneous classroom, the weaker students sometimes have self-concept issues due to the presence of more intelligent students who grab the upper ranks in class. But in the case of a homogeneous classroom, the other students are at about the same level. Thus, it boosts their self-confidence and determination.

Disadvantages of Ability Grouping

Those against ability grouping use the following arguments to discourage its use -

1. Feelings of segregation: Dividing students into classes based on ability can be difficult for young students to manage, and can set up a kind of "caste system" within our schools, causing unnecessary division and arguments.

2. Methods of division: What system can be used to divide students that is fair and equitable? Standardized tests may not accurately reflect the abilities of the students, and some students could be placed in the wrong groups.

3. Teacher expectations: Even if they did not do so consciously, teachers may treat students in the different groups as superior of inferior based on their groupings, leading to the perception by the students that they are not talented enough to do as well as their peers in other groups.

If your school is considering the possibility of using ability grouping as an educational tool, help them to consider the above advantages and disadvantages before making any policy decisions.

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Does Grouping Students By Ability Work?

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