Reply to Detracking and equity threatens all advanced academic programs?

Forum Index » Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Reply to "Detracking and equity threatens all advanced academic programs?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
I generally support tracking, but your example hits on what I consider a major pitfall - the permanence of a decision to place a kid on a certain track. I think tracking is fine when there is expected and continual movement up and down based on performance the previous year in a given track. [/quote]

Tracking doesn't need to be that permanent.  My DD's advanced math class had kids moving up and down every single year, based on their end of year tests from the previous year, SOLs, teacher recommendations, grades, and the beginning of year placement tests.  Even in 6th grade, a few kids moved up from 5th grade regular math the previous year to 6th advanced math based on their performance in 5th grade.  Likewise, kids were regrouped each year for language arts based on their performance in the DRA and SOLs.

For middle and high school, all honors and AP classes should be opt in.  The school should give recommendations, but ultimately, if a kid wants to work hard and try the higher level class, he or she should have the chance to do so.  [/quote]

I think a system where kids are placed based on ability is great but am reminded of the kids who bought into the concept that they were not smart because they were in the lowest track. For many it becomes a self perpetuating belief. The ones who did not buy into the idea had parents who were engaged and helped their kids but that was, in my limited experience, a very small group. The education gap that people are trying to solve is not going to be addressed by tracking. The different tracks will be mainly defined by socio-economic/racial backgrounds because the kids are more likely to come from homes where education is not a priority for a long list of reasons.

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics