Grouping in american schools

Abstract

A brief review of the literature on grouping reveals that many experiments are taking place to group students according to their abilities. A variety of procedures are used to identify desired common qualities and reduce the range of readiness for further learning. Achievement and intelligence tests increasingly are used and (probably) misused to determine who should be included, who rejected. Improved articulation between high school and college has aided colleges in grouping advanced or gifted students to accelerate their progress through higher education. All three levels of education have been effected by the consideration for individual abilities and by the introduction of television as an instructional device. Because much about human learning and group behavior needs to be learned, the policy of grouping with flexibility seems sound. The chief determinant of the learner's success is not the nature of his group, but the quality of the teacher as a group leader.