IN THE SPRING OF 1961, TESTS WERE ADMINISTERED TO SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY CREATIVITY WITHOUT REFERENCE TO INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT OR ACHIEVEMENT. IN THE 2D YEAR THE TESTS WERE REFINED, AND A SECOND GROUP OF CREATIVE STUDENTS WAS FORMED. IN 1963, FIFTH-GRADE CLASSES WERE SET UP, IN ADDITION TO A THIRD SEVENTH-GRADE CLASS. TESTS FOR THE…

Ability grouping, which is undemocratic and results in De Facto segregation, is attacked by the author. He cites the pros and the cons as well as references for each position. (MF)

ONE MAJOR PROBLEM IN EDUCATION HAS BEEN TO FIND A METHOD FOR CLASSIFYING STUDENTS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE GREATEST POSSIBLE GAINS FOR THE STUDENTS AND FACILITATE THE BEST TEACHING TECHNIQUES. EDUCATORS SEEKING ANSWERS TO THIS PROBLEM HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH DIVIDING CLASSES INTO GROUPS OF A MORE HOMOGENEOUS NATURE, USUALLY ON THE BASIS OF…

There is a dichotomy of opinion regarding the merits and feasibility of ability grouping, and the issue is unsettled after much research and study. This research summary discusses grouping practices, the place of ability grouping in over-all school organization, schools' capacity for ability grouping, and the pros and cons of ability grouping,…

This issue of a research journal on gifted education explores different perspectives on tracking in schools, the difference between equity and equality, whether equity is the enemy of excellence, and how all can be treated equally if some people are more intelligent than others. Specific articles include: (1) "Inequity in Equity: How 'Equity' Can…

This digest discusses research that documents the benefits of keeping gifted students together, the advantages and disadvantages of cluster grouping, and how to implement cluster grouping strategies. It argues that cluster grouping allows educators to come much closer to providing better educational services for groups of students with similar…

In this monograph, a causal-comparative, longitudinal study of cluster grouping at the elementary level is described and recommendations are made based on the findings. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The primary purpose of the study was to examine the effects of an existing cluster grouping program on the…

The history of ability grouping, especially since 1920, is reviewed and three recent surveys on its use are described. Current data was collected from school officials in all states concerning: the grade levels at which grouping is used; the length of time it has been used; the bases on which students are assigned to groups; the number of students…

It has been hypothesized that a student will develop more fully academically if grouped with students of similar ability. A study was undertaken at Harcum Junior College to assess the effect upon academic performance of the assignment of roommates with varying high school academic records. For investigation purposes students were identified as…

Three issues are addressed in this research review. First, do gifted and average children differ in their self-concepts? Second, what, if any, are the effects on self-concept of labeling a child as gifted or exceptional? Third, does placing the child in a separate enriched or accelerated classroom have any impact on self-concept? The paper begins…

The author reviews the past few years of experience gained in English schools of mixed-ability teaching in science and makes some personal interpretations of the lessons to be learned from that experience. It is hoped that some of these issues will be of relevance to other countries. (Author/SK)

If the major educational objective of classifying children into restricted range classroom environments is greater provision for individual differences--and given that there is no clear-cut evidence indicating that this object has been realized--then one is compelled to entertain the conclusion that ability grouping, as presently implemented, has…

This guidebook is designed to assist schools in providing appropriate education experiences for all gifted and talented children, regardless of the child's talent area, age, ethnic origin, or economic level. Chapters address: (1) the development of an educational plan, what is reasonable to ask schools to do, and what kind of teacher is best for a…

This paper addresses issues in the relationship of instructional grouping to both educational excellence and equity. First, equity issues are considered in light of two court cases: Hobson v. Hansen and Marshall v. Georgia which, together, offer guidelines for equitable ability grouping. Next, the research on the effects of grouping arrangements…