ability grouping

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The issue of ability grouping has caused controversy in the education community. Some education scholars say that ability grouping. A study by Dallas Independent School District found that ability grouping not only helped the top groups of students, but the entire spectrum of students learned more than mixed-ability classrooms (Garelick 2). This is not a practice that benefits only the white, rich, or intelligent, but a practice that helps the entire student body. Joann DiGennaro reminded us that mixed ability groups hurt almost everyone involved because the top students are bored and unchallenged and the bottom students are left behind (DiGennaro 2). Ability grouping insures that every student in every school is challenged yet prepared, and prevents anyone from being left behind or ahead. It is the duty of the education to meet the needs of every student, and ability grouping is a medium to insure that the goal is met.

By not grouping by ability most of the students needs are meet not appropriately. The idea and perception of ability grouping is that groups are formed and then students have no ability to change groups. However, the reality is that the groups can change and that the tests used to assign groups are fair. Garelick points out that in his education the ability systems practice allowed for a sense of fluidity to ensure the students were accurately placed (Garelick 3). Garelick states that not ability grouping has tried to “eliminate the achievement gap by eliminating achievement” (Garelick 3). The idea of educating twenty individuals with IQs ranging for 85-135 and with each individual student having different background knowledge than the others isn’t feasible. Jill Sears, a fourth grade teacher, said ...

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...grade level before the material is even taught in the classroom (Swiatek 2). By empowering Americans brightest minds, America can solve its challenges and problems in the modern world. By reaching the brightest students with ability grouping, every student benefits academically.

The American education cannot forgo the wise words of Spock on Star Trek,”The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one”. The “needs of the many” are meet in ability grouping, and all students will be challenged to their full potential. In mixed ability classes only the middle group of students needs will be met. Ability grouping doesn’t hurt any student , nor does it discriminate an racial or socioeconomic classes. It is imperative that America schools ability group their classes in order to have American students better compete with other students around the world.

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