[Oz-gifted] Re: Ability grouping

[Kathy Gilbert]

Hi Kristy,

Hoagies has a page devoted to ability grouping info:
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/grouping.htm

I've always liked the idea of ability grouping, but in the earlier years 
found my daughters' primary school hardly ever used it.  They liked to have 
their "shining lights" (their words not mine) in all classes so other 
children were carried along and spurred on to greater heights.  They didn't 
see it as a real problem for the actual shining lights who had very few, if 
any, peers, especially when the brightest were split up.  So even within 
age grouping, those who were brightest were placed in different 
classes.  Maybe that's why I like the idea of OC and Selective Schooling, 
because at least then there is much more chance of finding a child who is 
an intellectual peer and thus one who may have similar interests/makeup, 
even if there are other social or racial differences.

I can see why it would be hard for a mixed ability school to group totally 
intellectually.  Many parents would be devastated if their child was mainly 
with those who were a lot younger.  The same problem doesn't occur with an 
occasional accelerated child, in an age based class.

Kathy



>Hi all,
>
>I dont know enough about this but would like to see if anyone has some input.
>
>We would never consider age grouping of kids for many area's, swimming as 
>an example, so why is it so important to age group for education purposes? 
>I understand the social aspects that are thrown around often but dont feel 
>this should be a deciding factor. My eldest is the youngest in his class 
>but friends with the eldest. Its a MAG grouped class so the eldest are 
>actually 2 years older than him. I feel sometimes they underestimate the 
>social abilities of many children and that given the chance they will find 
>friends whether they are in the same class or not.
>
>Wouldnt ability grouping make it easier on teachers? If they only need to 
>cater for similar ability students programming should be an easier process.
>
>The argument of having role models for those on the lower end of the scale 
>can be countered by stating that ability grouping would allow those 
>children to excel within their group instead of constantly being at the 
>lower end of a class.
>
>I am sure there are many reasons why this wouldnt be possible. I guess I 
>am more curious to know if it has ever been considered or if it is used at 
>all. Makes a whole lot more sense to me than age grouping of kids.
>
>Thanks
>Kristy