Ability Grouping

Learn more about the practice of grouping students according to their academic skills, either by tracking or within-class grouping
Federal District Uses Federal Aid to Fuel Multi-Tiered Instruction
The federal Investing in Innovation program was among the sources of grant funding for the Iredell-Statesville school system in North Carolina.
Alyson Klein, June 9, 2015
1 min read
In this 2014 photo, 6th graders Willyum Oliver and Michael James (from left) discuss a math performance task during class at Whittemore Park Middle School in Conway, S.C.. The software students are using helps teachers at Whittemore Park differentiate instruction.
In this 2014 photo, 6th graders Willyum Oliver and Michael James (from left) discuss a math performance task during class at Whittemore Park Middle School in Conway, S.C.. The software students are using helps teachers at Whittemore Park differentiate instruction.
James Jason Lee for Education Week
Teaching Explainer Differentiated Instruction: A Primer
Definitions vary for differentiated instruction, a popular approach for teaching children with a range of academic strengths and interests.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 28, 2015
10 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Plan to Refocus Md. College-Advising Program Raises Concerns
Should a growing college-access program for low-income students in Maryland focus on high achievers or struggling students?
Jamaal Abdul-Alim, January 13, 2015
5 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Chris Whetzel for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Differentiation Doesn't Work
Differentiated instruction adds depth and complexity to teaching, but it's all but impossible to implement in today's classrooms, James Delisle writes.
James R. Delisle, January 6, 2015
5 min read
Assessment Report Roundup Ability Grouping
Regardless of the form it takes, academic tracking does little to close achievement gaps between students, according to a 20-nation study published this month in the American Journal of Education.
Holly Kurtz, May 20, 2014
1 min read
Education Opinion The Case for Ability Grouping
Strictly from the point of view of a classroom teacher, ability grouping makes sense.
Walt Gardner, June 21, 2013
1 min read
Teaching Opinion Michelle Newsum: Tracking Our Way to Wider Achievement Gaps
Under the fear created by NCLB/RTTT, large scale ability group tracking has made its way back into schools. Because tracking is commonly considered odious, and the research does not support it, no one calls it that. It is now given cuter or more palatable names like 'Walk to Read' or 'Intervention Time' even 'Flexible Grouping.' (Although some schools have flexible grouping and intervention time that takes place in classrooms and is quite lovely.)
Anthony Cody, May 29, 2013
9 min read
Teaching Opinion Setting the Record Straight on Ability Grouping
Ability grouping may get a bad rap, but research shows that it can be an effective, low-cost intervention when used with flexibility, says the president of the National Association for Gifted Children.
Paula Olszewski-Kubilius, May 20, 2013
3 min read
Teaching Opinion Response: Ability Grouping In Schools -- Part Two
(This post is Part Two in a two-part series. You can see Part One here)
Larry Ferlazzo, May 13, 2013
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Response: Using -- Not Misusing -- Ability Groups In The Classroom
(This post is Part One in a two-part series)
Larry Ferlazzo, May 12, 2013
10 min read
Teaching Opinion What Do You Think Of Using Ability Groups & "Tracking"?
This week's "question of the week" is:
"What does research say about use of ability groups/tracking, and how have you seen it used or misused? What are workable alternatives?"
Larry Ferlazzo, May 8, 2013
1 min read
School & District Management More Teachers Group Students by Ability
After being condemned as discriminatory in the 1990s, grouping students by academic ability seems to be back in vogue with a new generation of teachers, according to an analysis of federal teacher data.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 26, 2013
5 min read
Teaching Opinion Could This Be Everything You Wanted to Know About Tracking But Were Afraid to Ask?
Should we be tracking (ability grouping) students? This posts provides research to help you decided.
Stu Silberman, November 27, 2012
4 min read
Federal Opinion The Dumb Class
Susan B. Neuman asks, "Could it be that all this intelligence buzz measures only a weak correlate of ability?"
Susan B. Neuman, August 11, 2009
5 min read