Reply to s/o Tracking

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[quote=Anonymous]So PP, would you agree that the word "tracking" is different and accepted (because of advanced/different curriculum) for advanced student, but we replace "differentiation" as a substitute for the word tracking for struggling kids because of emotional freight?

Some of the semantics bother me--it is common sense that all students have their progress "tracked" by their teachers.  Parents get report cards, and spelling tests, and notes home that tell us about our children.  I believe that "tracking" informally occurs regardless of whether it is in the same class, outside the class, pull out groups, etc.

Since I kind of take tracking as a given (formal and informal), my question is why we are ok with pull out groups and separate reading tables, but not separate class rooms and separate programs? Kids know the difference regardless of who the "smart kids" are.

My personal belief is that given our country's racial history, we equate separateness with segregation which is terrible and awful which no good person would want. Also because I personally want all children to keep that magic of childhood alive where dreams are possible no matter what and where you are academically and socially. So "adult messaging" is very important to me.

Most parents with means and buy into their version of the "advanced tracking" by going to private school which is especially important for minority parents because of teachers that may place minority children into the wrong track automatically as a reflex to skin color.

BUT I think unfortunately our discomfort as a society with both formal and informal  "tracking" has led to all sorts of unfortunate side effects:

lack of vocational schooling;
college for all! model of education
wrong messaging to kids in both the "high" track and "low" track (You are smart and special!--hate this for kids on the advanced track)

I don't know what the answers are, but I have very mixed feelings on this topic.

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