Tracking, Ability Grouping, Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous Classes

However you’d like to word the issue, it will be an on-going topic for Modern Classroom. As it is an issue that forces me to closely examine my own schooling, it is an issue that I pay close attention to as an educator. There are many questions to be asked and answered surrounding the issue of tracking. I am currently in the beginning stages of a larger scale research project, but I have not yet narrowed down a research question. The more background reading I do, the more questions I seem to have. I’d like to use this blog to flesh out some of my ideas. Below are some initial brainstorms for a final research question. They will be the main topics in future posts.

• heterogeneous vs. homogeneous classes
• define the concept and origins of tracking
• its affects on the self-image/future of the students
• possible alternatives to this popular method
• Literature review
• What are the affects on learning for the high achieving students?
• What are the affects on learning for the low achieving students?
• How effective is differentiated instruction for the students at the poles?
• Does tracking affect different ethnic groups differently?
• Does tracking affect girls differently than boys?
• How does tracking affect student social groups?
• What is the bigger issue in education that tracking was designed to solve?
• What have been other proposed solutions to this problem?
• What questions in a survey would help to determine affects of tracking in university students? In middle school students? In high school students? In adults?
• What questions in a survey to determine the general views from teachers about tracking? Middle school teachers? High school teachers? Elementary teachers? University professors?
• Choice of instructors for higher and lower level classes
• I am not initially looking to change the structure of schools, but to create a more reflective environment regarding the effects of tracking and the quality of instruction
• Quality of instruction
• Optimizing learning
• Don’t forget – I do not want to become a sociologist, or researcher of American culture. I am intending to become a researcher on the effects of a particular practice, and possible solutions and alternatives.
• I need to create a thesis topic that will ensure that I do not skew the research evidence towards my desired outcome. It is important to make sure that all evidence is looked at, and mentioned in the final literature review.
• What are some other conceptualizations of curriculum that are possible? And some that might even provide more quality and effective instruction for students of all levels?
• What type of grouping is the most flexible to allow for the most varied types of instructions and groupings within units of study
• Are heterogeneously grouped classes safe learning environments for students of all abilities?
• How do you (should you?) ensure that teachers are treating all students equally? How can you prevent teachers from labeling students?
• What level (if any) would I like to focus my research on? Experience dictates middle school, which would give me some practical knowledge, but high school tracking and elementary school ability grouping are too common of practices to ignore while doing a study on the topic
• Approaching the issue of tracking from within another issue, such as middle school vs. k-8. Is this a healthier/more effective way to get educators to discuss the issue?

Modern Classroom

The main purpose of this blog is for me to flesh out ideas related to public school today that I'm interested in researching and problems I'd love to solve. Enjoy!