ERIC Number: ED670917
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019-May
Pages: 61
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Beyond Tracking and Detracking: The Dimensions of Organizational Differentiation in Schools EdWorkingPaper No. 19-65
Thurston Domina; Andrew McEachin; Paul Hanselman; Priyanka Agarwal; NaYoung Hwang; Ryan Lewis
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Schools utilize an array of strategies to match curricula and instruction to students' heterogeneous skills. While generations of scholars have debated "tracking" and its consequences, the literature fails to account for diversity of school-level sorting practices. In this paper we draw upon the work of Sørenson (1970) to articulate and develop empirical measures of five distinct dimensions of school cross-classroom tracking systems: (1) the degree of course differentiation, (2) the extent to which sorting practices generate skills-homogeneous classrooms, (3) the rate at which students enroll in advanced courses, (4) the extent to which students move between tracks over time, and (5) the relation between track assignments across subject areas. Analyses of longitudinal administrative data following 24,000 8th graders enrolled in 23 middle schools through the 10th grade indicate that these dimensions of tracking are empirically separable and have divergent effects on student achievement and the production of inequality.
Descriptors: Track System (Education), Homogeneous Grouping, Correlation, Longitudinal Studies, Academic Achievement, Advanced Courses, Enrollment Trends, Middle School Students, Student Records, Ability Grouping, Equal Education, Educational Opportunities, School Districts, Public Schools, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Mathematics Achievement, English, Language Arts, Student Characteristics, English Learners, Ethnicity, High Achievement, Low Achievement, Mathematics Instruction
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/
Related Records: EJ1219711
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; High Schools; Grade 10
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Spencer Foundation; William T. Grant Foundation; Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Identifiers - Location: California
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305B120013
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: N/A