[Oz-gifted] RE: Ability grouping

[Anna V]

On 24 Nov 2005 at 13:45, Kristy wrote:

> Just had another thought.
> 
> Education should enable a child to learn and develop to the best of
> THEIR ability. Ed systems still seem stuck on giving all children the
> same when the needs of the children differ. Why introduce, for ex,
> algebra to a child that has not yet master basic addition or
> multiplication because this is what 'needs' to be taught to this
> age/year group? 


Ummmmm usually a child who is intellectually impaired is not 
going to be stuck doing algebra before they master basic addition.  
A friend of mine's 14 yo has been accelerated to grade 9 despite 
his IQ of 73 because they couldn't adjust the grade 8 curriculum 
effectively for him.  He cannot read or write or do basic maths but 
he has never sat in a classroom doing the same things as the 
other children.


Wouldnt this child benefit from being with a group of
> kids all of similar ability who need to spend more time with the
> basics so they can master them? Similarly why should children in the
> higher spectrum be stuck repeating concepts they have already mastered
> because the harder concepts are not taught until a year or two later?
> If they were ability grouped it would allow the children to learn at a
> pace that suits their needs.

Yep.





> 
> I am repeatedly told that the curriculum framework allows for this and
> that each child will be given work for their own level but I dont see
> this in practice. There is some ability grouping within my childrens
> classes but its hard for the teachers to program for such varying
> needs. Within each class they have children from the entire spectrum.
> How is it possible for one teacher to manage such a range of needs for
> so many children without some missing out? With ability grouping the
> teachers can focus on one ability group.This would have to be
> beneficial both for the teachers and children.
> 

My kids's school is doing an OK job of programming for the kids.  I 
don't think that it is a fantastic idea to group kids in ability groups 
all the time -- you'd need flexibility as ability is not necessarily 
even across all domains.  I rocked at English but maths was a 
nightmare for me.


> uh oh, think I am on a mission here. Appointment with our schools
> deputy on Monday to throw some ideas around with him lol.

good luck!

anna