The purpose of this study is to investigate whether small group instruction in kindergarten widens or closes the achievement gap in mathematics between EL students and non-EL students. The first objective is to examine whether the impacts of small group instruction on math learning differ between EL kindergartners and their non-EL peers. For…

Discusses development of pupil grouping in European compulsory education into two opposite class organization types, mixed ability classes and ability-grouped classes. Categorizes the types along two dimensions with three program types and three grouping types, yielding nine teaching categories. Discusses comparative results of streaming and mixed…

Summarizes evidence from experimental research, ethnology, anthropology, and history about merits of multiage classrooms. Indicates studies show no consistent benefits of age segregation and some affective and social advantages from multiage grouping. Concludes that multiage and multigrade classrooms are socially and psychologically healthy…

Certain grouping arrangements in elementary and secondary schools appear to be instructionally effective for students, but the psychological drawbacks may offset any advantages. The relative benefits and disadvantages of within-class grouping and between-class grouping are discussed, along with the problems with ability grouping. (TE)

This paper discusses grouping for instruction in teaching science. Suggestions include grouping students in science experiments and demonstrations, grouping by using videotapes and other audiovisual aids, flexible grouping, committee work, flexible discussion groups, minilessons, activity-centered teaching, modeling, individualized reading, and…

This study attempts to determine whether or not ability grouping is desirable for effective instruction. Parents volunteered their children for assignment to a heterogeneous social studies class. Students were divided into a Volunteer Group, a Non-volunteer Group and a Non-response Group. Students for the heterogeneous classes were randomly…

This article presents a meta-analysis of studies of the effects of special homogeneous classes versus regular heterogeneous classes on achievement and nonachievement outcomes of gifted students. The principal findings indicate that the gifted students in special classes achieved more than their gifted counterparts in regular classes. (Author/IAH)

With new knowledge and tools at their disposal, educators at all levels are exploring alternatives to ability grouping in order to improve schooling for all students. Bringing about positive results requires the development and utilization of knowledge about how ability grouping affects schools, exploration of beliefs that support grouping, and…