Ability-grouping in Primary Schools: Case Studies and Critical Debates(Critical Guides for Teacher Educators)

The use of ability-grouping is currently increasing in primary schools. Teachers and teacher educators are placed in the unenviable position of having to marry research evidence suggesting that ability-grouping is ineffectual with current policy advocating this approach.This book links theory, policy and practice in a critical examination of ability-grouping practices and their implications in primary schools, with particular reference to primary mathematics. It provides an accessible text for teacher educators to support their students in engaging with the key debates and reflecting upon their practice. Key changes in structural approaches, such as the movement between streaming, setting or mixed-ability teaching arrangements, are explored in the light of political trends, bringing this up to date with a discussion of current policy and practice.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction 2. Ability-grouping: theory, policy and practice 3. Riverside, Parkview and Avenue Primary Schools 4. Ability labelling and pupil identity 5. Ability-grouping and pedagogic practices 6. More than pedagogy: the impacts of ability-grouping on primary practice and relationships 7. How do pupils experience ability practices? 8. Conclusion: Shall we just change the language? References Index

About the Author :
Rachel Marks has been a primary school teacher and mathematics coordinator in both inner-city and rural schools, teaching pupils across the primary age-range. Her research interests include equity issues and the social context of schooling and she has a PhD in Mathematics Education in which she explored the implications of ability practices in primary school mathematics. She now works as a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at the University of Brighton where she teaches across a range of Initial Teacher Education and mathematics specialist courses and shares her research findings with teachers and educators across a variety of forums. Ian Menter (AcSS) is Professor of Teacher Education and Director of Professional Programmes in the Department of Education at the University of Oxford. He previously worked at the Universities of Glasgow, the West of Scotland, London Metropolitan, the West of England and Gloucestershire. Before that he was a primary school teacher in Bristol, England. His most recent publications include A Literature Review on Teacher Education for the 21st Century (Scottish Government) and A Guide to Practitioner Research in Education (Sage). His work has also been published in many academic journals.

Review :
This is a readable and informative book that engages with the hot topic of ability grouping. It is testamant to its pertinance that I am currently without my copy, as yet another Primary Education lecturer colleague has removed it from my desk! - Georgina Merchant, UCL Institute of Education