Ability Grouping: Students Swept Downstream

Check out my snazzy floooooow chart -WK

The issue of ability streaming is both complex and contentious. In order to determine whether it is beneficial or harmful, it must be asked - for whom? This paper will begin with a brief overview of the issue, followed by an examination of the evidence that ability streaming is detrimental to some of the most vulnerable students. It will then discuss the benefits of streaming to those gifted students who are chosen to enter advanced streams. Subsequently it will be shown that streaming is not good for society as a whole, vis-a-vis the reproduction of social inequalities. Finally, the paper will recommend a policy course for the future of academic differentiation. While ability grouping has only narrow benefit at present, it has the potential to encourage students' and change their lives.

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