Tracking is the grouping of students by perceived academic abilities for instruction. As a pedagogical strategy, tracking was initially introduced into U.S. public schools in the early 1900’s as a way to educate and socialize the broadly changing population of urban, northern cities that swelled from European immigration and poor southern black transplants seeking better opportunities. Societal beliefs of the time regarding distinct division of classes and the requisite assimilation of immigrants into American culture resulted in new educational laws that popularized a system that segregated classrooms into “slow, bright and deficient” (Ansalone, 2010, p. 4) levels of learners. Tracking was viewed and used as a practical strategy in educating an increasingly diverse population of students with different native languages and educational backgrounds.
LaPrade’s 2011 review of educational research shows tracking remains a common practice; in the U.S., it is employed in approximately 60% of grammar schools and 80% of high schools. Popular tracking programs such as AP, honors, and even special education classes have come under much scrutiny and criticism in the last several decades. Concerned parents and educators question the degree of educational equality the programs offer and the apparent stratification of students by race, gender and socioeconomic status that result from the assignments. Meanwhile, supporters of tracking see it as an effective way to provide tailored, level or ability appropriate instruction for all students.
According to Ansalone (2010), proponents for academic tracking support its continued use by calling on four general assumptions the pedagogical strategy makes. The first hypothesizes that academic ach...
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... and social stratification tracking programs can create.
References
Ansalone, G. (2010). Tracking: Educational Differentiation or Defective Strategy. Educational Research Quarterly, 34(2), 3-17. Retrieved from ERIC.
Ansalone, G. (2005). Getting our schools on track: Is detracking really the answer? [computer file]. Radical Pedagogy, 6(2), p. 1. Retrieved from Education Full Text database.
LaPrade, K. (2011). Removing instructional barriers: One track at a time. Education (Chula Vista, Calif.), 131(4), 740-52. Retrieved from Education Full Text database.
Lotan, R. (2006). Teaching teachers to build equitable classrooms. Theory into Practice, 45(1), 32-9. doi: 10.1207/s15430421tip4501_5
Rubin, B. C. (2006). Tracking and detracking: Debates, evidence, and pest Practices for a heterogeneous world. Theory Into Practice, 45(1), 4-14. Retrieved from ERIC.
Goldstein argues a problem with education policy is, “American policy makers require every public school to use the same strategy…” (261) When facing the problem of inequality in education a teacher needs to be fluid with his or her curriculum. In fact, one of the best ways to allow for fluidity is through peer-to-peer help. Goldstein states, “(teaching hospital model) allows best practices tailored to a specific school to be passed from professional to professional.” (255) Peer-to-peer help not only does this allow for constructive feedback, but also it allows teachers to learn from one another. While policy makers might not know a schools demographics and unique situation teachers in the school will. Thus, teachers can help one another on their unique problem through a collaborative process. Peer to peer help allows for the design of, “creative curriculum materials and to lead school turnaround efforts.” (232) The problems associated with inequality can be thought out and explored through teachers working
While differentiating instruction and being able to design lessons geared towards the needs of diverse learners are currently highly prized skills for teachers, this has not always been the case. The history of education in the United States is a history of segregation. Even today, schools and curriculum are designed to meet the needs of a core group of students, which does not include students with disabilities (Hitchcock, Meyer, Rose, & Jackson, 2002). In the past, learners who were different, out of the mainstream, or did not fit into the mold to which teachers taught (were not part of the core) learned how or lost out on learning. This is not to say that teachers of the past did not care about their students, about being effective teachers, or about student learning. However, as schools are mirrors reflecting mainstream societal norms (Chartock, 2010; Delpit, 2006)—and, given that our society has not always valued diversity in people, be it due to disability, class, culture, or race—teachers in the past have largely focused their efforts where they could earn the largest return on their investment: the average student .
Peske, Heather G., and Kati Haycock. "Teaching Inequality: How Poor and Minority Students Are Shortchanged on Teacher Quality: A Report and Recommendations by the Education Trust." Education Trust. N.p., June 2006. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
Kilgore, Sally B. "The Organizational Context of Tracking in Schools." American Sociological Review 56.2 (1991): 189-203. JSTOR. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
After reading Joel Spring?s book, and reflecting on some of the issues facing our schools, it is apparent that our educational system requires much attention among our nation?s leaders. While the system has transformed in many beneficial ways, we are still plagued by the growing problems of society. I look forward to reading another book by Joel Spring, and developing my evolving understanding of the educational system within the United States.
I come from schools where they have no shame on hiding the tracking system from the view of others. The school district calls tracking in two ways, the gifted and talented or on the other hand low achieving. I have been able to be on both sides of the tracking system, when I was a child I was in low achieving classes, and barely learning anything. When I was in my senior year of high school I was in one AP class. At the time I wished that I was seen as smart and talented but in reality would I be happy if I was tracked into the smart classes? Would I have been the person that I turned out to be? I guess I would have not been the hard working person that I came out to be, I would find it hard to get back up when I ever I feel just because I would not know how to deal with the fact that ailing at something or not being good at something is the reason that I never give up so easy. Also because I have a mother that never fell into the views and mentality of human capital, she knew that I could and would make it.
Kraft, M. (2007). Toward a school-wide model of teaching for social justice: An examination of the best practices of two small public schools. Equity & Excellence in Education, 40, 77–86.
In conclusion, the initial intentions of the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) were to close the achievement gap between low achieving students and schools and their counterparts; but have fallen short in many important aspects along the way. Teachers have become de-sensitized to the reasons they initially desired to be educators and have lost their vision of how to implement instruction due to standards of NCLB and the consequences for not meeting those mandated goals. Likewise, students must perform, many times, above their level in order to be labeled “adequate” by the federal government and their schools. In some cases, there is a disproportionate burden placed on schools, teachers, and students, all for the sake of what is federally deemed as average achievement.
...her ups, and then once their ideas of education update, so can school systems, then teachers themselves. Maiers “Keys to Student Engagement” shows the raw potential that school systems already have. It also shows that students need the drive and ambition to succeed. Tristan’s article on edutopia provides ideas that are already in motion. His ideas and tips have already started to work in public high school in his community. With the guidance and vision of these three authors public school issues could cease to exist. Even though there’s a lot involved getting administrators (and some teachers) on board, it is possible, and in the near future, a reality.
A significant problem of practice in education is teacher bias. Teacher bias has implications around race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic status. Teachers must be willing to examine their beliefs, acknowledge and overcome their biases. Teachers need to evaluate their practices in relation to their ideals as well as recognize and assess the position of power they hold in their classrooms in order to be true Social Justice Educators (Cooper, 2003).
I am a first year teacher and have very little experience and I work in title 1, high poverty school. This year I have implemented equitable chactersitics of creating a safe place for my students, expectations for respect in my classroom, collaborating with other skilled educators, participating in advanced education coursework and attending professional development. I know these are equitable characteristics because students are more likely to succeed in a setting where they will feel safe and respected by others. This is important for all students, but can be especially important for students in low-income families that may have one or more ACES that they must cope with every day at school. Next, collaborating with more skilled teachers and coaches helps me diagnose problems and help reach struggling students. Last participating in professional development and working on my master’s degree helps me keep up to date in what is going on in education and helps me in constant state of learning, growing and improving my
middle of paper ... ... Several teachers do not know how to receive the support they need. Diversity in classrooms is both positive and negative. However, if teachers are provided with the right resources and keep an open mind, their students can become successful civil human beings.
Cook, Bryan G., and Melvyn I. Semmel. American Educational Research Association. Chicago: ERIC, 1997. 3. Web.
Bercher D A, 2012, Self-Monitoring Tools and Student Academic Success: When Perception Matches Reality, Journal of College Science Teaching 41.5 May/Jun: 26-32.
Promoting fairness in the classroom not only gives the teacher respect but also gives the students a sense of safeness and trust within the classroom. Creating an environment that revolves around fairness, trust and respect will be beneficial to all of the children in the class. The terms respect and trust are pretty straightforward. There doesn’t need to be a debate on what those two mean, but the same cannot be said for fairness. When one usually hears the word “fair” it is often looked at as synonymous to the term “equal” but the two are not the same, especially in a classroom setting. The term fairness on the classroom level means that the individual students are given what he or she may need in order to be successful; fairness does not