An alternative to ability grouping for instructional purposes exists. Cognitive developmental grouping (CDG), sometimes labeled "tracking" or "pacing," organizes students in terms of similar learning styles and takes into consideration the child's intellectual maturation rather than performance within a particular curriculum…

Using a naturalistic inquiry approach, a study examined the application of whole class instruction as an alternative instructional strategy to ability grouping in first grade reading instruction. Subjects, 57 first-grade students in two classrooms attending an elementary school in a middle-class section of Orem, Utah, used the Companion Reading…

In the past 8 years, Boston Public schools have introduced various policy changes aimed at institutionalizing educational equality. Standardization efforts have ignored certain student grouping practices that actually exaggerate and institutionalize inequality in Boston Public Schools. Ability grouping ensures the isolation of students labeled as…

The effect that student ability level has on receiving feedback following classroom tests was studied. Forty-four undergraduates enrolled in four educational psychology classes were assigned to low or high ability groups based on their total score from the first four exams. Two classes were trained in a feedback technique, and the remaining two…

This newsletter presents a critical view of some of the perils of translating research findings into classroom practice without careful examination of the human dimensions involved. The first issue discussed is ability grouping; it is pointed out that this practice does not necessarily increase academic achievement, particularly in the lower level…

This ERIC Digest summarizes Robert E. Slavin's 1986 comprehensive review of research on the different types of ability grouping in elementary schools. Slavin examines evidence on the achievement effects of five comprehensive ability grouping plans in elementary schools: (1) ability grouped classroom assignment; (2) regrouping within grade level…

This paper reviews what is known about the impact on student achievement after schools are desegregated. The primary purpose of this review is to identify children that may be in need of special help during the transition to the desegregated environment and to determine the type of help needed to enhance their achievement. The use of test scores…

Inter-class ability grouping, i.e., assigning students to classes according to ability, is a controversial topic among parents, teachers, school administrators, and educational researchers. To determine the effects of inter-class ability grouping, a meta-analytic methodology was applied to 85 studies carried out in elementary and secondary…

RESEARCH WITH STUDENTS IN GRADES 6, 7, AND 8 DEMONSTRATED THAT CHILDREN CAN BE TAUGHT TO SPELL IF--(1) EACH CHILD USES A SPELLING PROGRAM GEARED TO HIS OWN LEARNING LEVEL, DEVELOPS HIS OWN SYSTEM OF LEARNING TO SPELL, WORKS ON WORDS NOT YET MASTERED, AND REALIZES CONTINUING SUCCESS, AND (2) THE TEACHING METHOD DEVELOPS THE PUPIL'S LISTENING…

THE EFFECT OF CLASSROOM GROUPING ON CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES WAS STUDIED. EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON THE ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION, METHODS OF SELECTION, AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES. DATA WERE GATHERED FROM SCHOOL RECORDS AND FROM GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL TESTS. FIFTEEN PUPILS WERE PLACED IN A "SPECIAL" CLASS, AND 15 WERE DISTRIBUTED AMONG REGULAR…

EXPERIMENTAL CLASSES WERE SET UP FOR ACADEMICALLY SUPERIOR STUDENTS (INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT 120 AND ABOVE) TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FULL-TIME, SELF-CONTAINED CLASSES AND PART-TIME CLASSES. TWO EXPERIMENTAL CLASSES WERE BEGUN FOR FOURTH THROUGH NINTH GRADE STUDENTS IN EACH PROGRAM, AND WERE COMPARED TO EQUIVALENT CONTROL GROUPS. ACHIEVEMENT…

IN AN ATTEMPT TO FORMULATE SOME POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS OF PROGRAM AND POLICY FOR THE ACADEMICALLY TALENTED, MANY ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM WERE CONSIDERED. QUESTIONNAIRES AND STUDIES SEEKING THE OPINIONS OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND AN EXAMINATION OF CURRENT PRACTICES AND PROVISIONS FOR THE ACADEMICALLY TALENTED DELVED INTO THE FOLLOWING…

THE TRUMP PLAN AT RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL IN NORRIDGE, ILLINOIS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING INNOVATIONS--INSTEAD OF CLASSES OF 25-30 STUDENTS, STUDENTS MET IN GROUPS OF 4-7, 10-15, AND 65-130. INSTEAD OF STANDARD CLASSROOMS, THERE WERE MANY ASSORTED WORKING SPACES, FROM INDIVIDUAL CARRELS TO LARGE LECTURE HALLS. TEACHERS WERE GROUPED IN COOPERATIVE TEAMS…

APPROXIMATELY 180 EIGHTH- AND 180 NINTH-GRADE STUDENTS, PLACED IN THREE ABILITY "TRACKS," WERE ADMINISTERED AN 80-ITEM ATTITUDE SURVEY AND AN 80-ITEM MOTIVATION INVENTORY. THE RESULTS OBTAINED WERE DEVELOPED AS PART OF A LONG-RANGE STUDY TO IMPROVE SCHOOL ATTITUDES AND MOTIVATION THROUGH INCORPORATING A REVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL AND…