The disadvantage of mixed-ability pairings is mainly the initial perception by parents and some students. Parents often object to placing his/her child with the “standard” students. They worry that their children will not be challenged by these classes. Although this is not true, it takes a while for this kind of thinking to diminish.
One disadvantage is, as Mitsi mentioned, parental misconception. Parents of advanced students may feel their child is not challenged; parents of standard students may worry their child will fall behind.
Another disadvantage is on the educator's side. The amount of differentiation in the class may be overwhelming for a new teacher, or a teacher with little experience in mixed ability classes.
I believe the mixed ability classes may leave behind your extremely high achieving students. Because the curriculum is geared more toward the masses, it could leave your students on each end of the spectrum behind, but I believe the higher achieving students may be most at a disadvantage. With an agreement with the students and teacher, this can be lessened by teaching that equal is not always the same and some students may be asked to do more work or more in-depth work. The high achieving students can also benefit from peer teaching their classmates when possible.
One disadvantage is the initial parental fear that advanced students will not be challenged or the standard students will be asked to do more than their ability lets them.
The disadvantage of mixed-ability pairings is mainly the initial perception by parents and some students. Parents often object to placing his/her child with the “standard” students. They worry that their children will not be challenged by these classes. Although this is not true, it takes a while for this kind of thinking to diminish.
ReplyDeleteOne disadvantage is, as Mitsi mentioned, parental misconception. Parents of advanced students may feel their child is not challenged; parents of standard students may worry their child will fall behind.
ReplyDeleteAnother disadvantage is on the educator's side. The amount of differentiation in the class may be overwhelming for a new teacher, or a teacher with little experience in mixed ability classes.
I believe the mixed ability classes may leave behind your extremely high achieving students. Because the curriculum is geared more toward the masses, it could leave your students on each end of the spectrum behind, but I believe the higher achieving students may be most at a disadvantage. With an agreement with the students and teacher, this can be lessened by teaching that equal is not always the same and some students may be asked to do more work or more in-depth work. The high achieving students can also benefit from peer teaching their classmates when possible.
ReplyDeleteOne disadvantage is the initial parental fear that advanced students will not be challenged or the standard students will be asked to do more than their ability lets them.
ReplyDelete