Ability Grouping

This web page contains several websites where one can learn more about ability grouping in the school systems today. There are sites containing the different types of ability grouping, benefits of gifted programs, and alternatives to tracking. There is also a site about how "untracking" can save America's schools.

1. This site entitled "Ability Grouping in Elementary and Secondary Education" is an excellent site because it contains a table of contents: definitions of ability grouping, ERIC digests and other Internet Resources dealing with ability grouping, and other helpful notes. There are also specific definitions on the page for one who may not be familiar with tracking or ability grouping that are helpful.

2. This site entitled "Ability Grouping" is a webpage created by a student from Lycoming College. It contains different methods and effects of ability grouping in American schools. There are also other links for specific types of ability grouping, benefits of gifted programs, benefits of mixed grouping, problems of ability grouping and alternatives to tracking. It is very interesting.

3. This site, "Crossing The Tracks: How 'Untracking' Can Save America's Schools", gives a definition of tracking and gives the benefits of untracking in the school system. It also states several negative effects of tracking and specific problems with tracking young adolescents. It is a good site for one wanting to know more about the negative effects of tracking and alternatives to tracking.

4. "An Analysis of the Research on Ability Grouping: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives" is a site that explains that effects of grouping programs depend upon their features. The author stresses that ability grouping can be either harmful or beneficial depending on the programs in the school systems.

5. In the website, "The Relationship of Grouping Practices to the Education of the Gifted and Talented Learner: Research-Based Decision Making", a study was conducted to determine the academic, social, and psychological effects of a variety of grouping practices upon learners who are gifted and talented.

Created by: Janet Baugh for Psy 306.
Last updated: December 6, 1999.