Jeannie Oakes
Oakes argues that tracking separates the "less- abled" from abled in the classroom. grouping them only inhibits their abilities to meet what they can do. a more group environment should replace tracking.
1. " In low-ability classes, for example, teachers seem to be less encouraging ... while students in higher-ability classes seem to be much more involved in their classwork."
i think that some of this isn't true. i know in high school i fought with alot of people in my class and sometimes it would be over answers but my teachers were always encouraging and motivating us to learn. so what was i? a low ability class or a higher ability class? malarky.
2. "other work suggests that what we conveniently consider "low" ability may not be as limiting as we generally think"
yes. i totally agree. because you label someone or something low ability right away, expecting it to be like previous cases, you aren't giving it a chance. a K reader may be thought to have a low ability if they are really in a lower reading level than other children but that same child may excel in math over the other children. it shouldn't be limiting. they should be given a chance.
3. "Most public displays are well-enough meant: good work shown as a matter of pride, intended to motivate and provide examples for others. But too often they are convenient and irresistible opportunities for comparison"
i know that when i was younger in private school (bay view academy), only work that was worthy went up on the board. usually that didnt mean me. my math skills SUCK and none of my work was ever up, decreasing my morale and making me hate math just that much more.
however, i was above the reading level all throughout elementary school and i could impress people by reading my book upside down (seriously) or backwards (seriously again) and my work was always on the wall. i knew that our work was being compared and it kinda felt terrible when they went to the math wall but it felt great when they went to the reading wall. but i knew a few kids who stunk in the opposite subjects that i was good at and i knew they felt terrible when i was rewarded for doing well in the subject they sucked at.
i kind of feel like if any work is going to be displayed, it should all be displayed and everyones work should get an encouraging word. wether it be good job or i can see you're trying, keep up the good work.
soooo overall this was a pretty short article. i think i only lost interest about once but it was because there was some crazy thing about women who didnt know they were pregnant but were going into labor on tv. the last quote i used was the one that stuck out the most to me actually and i have alot more views on it but i didnt want to bore anyone with my elaborations.
peace out girlscout
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