The importance of actively engaging in mathematics discourse in order to learn mathematics is well recognized. In this paper, I use Basil Bernstein's concepts of pedagogic discourse to document and analyse academic learning time of students in Years 8 and 9 at a suburban lower secondary school: in particular, for what proportion of class time…

Ability grouping is a common practice in many mathematics classrooms. Its negative effects on students have been documented in research spanning two decades or more, and yet it is still widely implemented--in some countries even mandated. Using data from interviews with Australian students in the compulsory years of secondary schooling (14-16…

Several decades ago it was shown that the differentiation of pupils into tracks and streams led to a polarization into "anti-school" and "pro-school" cultures. Support for this differentiation-polarization theory is mainly based on case studies. This paper presents findings of a quantitative study in Belgium (Flanders).…

Argues that the issues of good teaching practice and professionalism are at risk of becoming marginalized in the developing market culture. Finds that a growing compliance of schools to middle-class parents may result in the overriding of teachers' professional judgments that do not mirror the perceived requirements of these "valued"…

Presents a case study of grade 9 curriculum reforms at a urban high school in Ontario (Canada). Explains that students were streamed according to their abilities and interests before the reform. Discusses questions related to de-streaming, especially how teachers contend with mixed-ability classes, and integration with a particular focus on…