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To Track Or Not To Track : Refining Middle School Mathematics, Jennifer E. Patton

Honors Capstones

This research project discusses the issue of tracking, or ability grouping, in the education system. Using this type of system, students are grouped into low, medium,and high ability groups in all or at least several of their subjects in school. This type of grouping is the most commonly used instructional method to facilitate for students' differences. However, educational literature and research shows that although students have differences in abilities and learning styles, tracking is not the most effective, efficient, or equitable way of accommodating for these differences. Hence, this research project not only discusses the evidence for and against tracking, …