[Oz-gifted] Ability grouping

[Kristy]

Thanks Tony,
I understand that age grouping is the easiest way to group kids. I can also 
see how one of the largest obstacles to ability grouping would be the 
parents, especially those who feel their kids are a lot more talented than 
they actually are. But in the long term I can see that ability grouping 
could be beneficial. On the flip side I can also see it could cause 
problems.

Thanks
Kristy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tony nolan" <t.nolan at uts.edu.au>
To: <oz-gifted at rite.ed.qut.edu.au>
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Oz-gifted] Ability grouping


>
> G'day Kristy,
>
> I remember this from Teachers College but it was an answer a long time ago 
> to a slightly different question.
>
> Thus it went,
>
> That age classification and grouping is the most objective way to group 
> students, with very little subjectivity about which classification to be 
> inserted into, once the classification has already been established. It 
> was a fast way of grouping without argument or confrontation, where every 
> body knows the boundaries, etc.
>
> The other reason i heard about was because of size / physical ability / 
> emotional ability of the child when involved with its peers in the class 
> room. It appeared that the main reason for the classification was not so 
> much about learning ability, but more about Risk Reduction in the class 
> room.
>
> I think the age system has been in for a very very long time, and that 
> these days we also use learning ability, learning disability, and even 
> nationality, culture / religion to sort out classrooms. I guess this is 
> because that the original schools were set up with a very limited variety 
> or range of students considered, as schools were usually in towns, or 
> villages, etc.
>
> Anyway, this is what i remembered as to why Age was used as the basic 
> classification system for students.
>
> Regards
> Tony
>
>
>
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