Reply to What really IS the point of AAP?

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[quote=Anonymous]
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You say they fall behind more progressively, but isn't this an opportunity to focus on those students and make sure they are all having their needs met to reach goals and targets.  In our sports crazed country, we would never look at a group of fast runners or swimmers and tell them to slow down so others could catch up.  We may get additional coaching/training for the slower group, find the race or style that works best for that athlete, but we wouldn't slow everyone down.     [/quote]

None of what you describe happens in public elementary schools. Meanwhile, missing placement in advanced math in third means that by fourth you are a quarter year behind, placed at the start of 5th means a half year behind, placed at the start of 6th means a full year behind. That's how tracking works, it isn't some system where kids can freely move up and down because the gap is designed to widen every year.  [/quote]

But the kids take endless tests.  If a kid is behind at the start of third grade, the goal should be to bring them up a full year at minimum by the end of the 3rd grade. If the student is able to achieve more, they switch groups and continue progressing (level II AAP for all).   A child struggling needs to have their needs met to reach grade level. If that is not possible, special education provisions are in place. Someone who is above grade level in elementary school for a subject like math should have access to math specialists and pull outs as well -- a more robust level III. 
The answer shouldn't be, we're afraid kids are behind and won't catch up so we can't elevate others - let's just lump everyone together.  The answer should be, let's give teachers the time to focus on students of similar abilities and move them to where they need to be and further.  That is 'a rising tides floats all boats' mentality. Instead, we leave teachers with 3-4 different levels in a classroom of 24 -- pretend that works and wish them luck.  It just seems we say removing tracking is an equity issues, but don't solve the underlying issues, which take more money, work and time. Bring in reading and math specialists. Help kids achieve more all around.[/quote]

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