Implications for Ability Grouping in Mathematics for Fifth Grade Students

Implications for Ability Grouping in Mathematics for Fifth Grade Students
Author: Anne M. Stinnett
Publisher:
Total Pages: 50
Release: 2013
Genre: Ability grouping in education
ISBN:

This study examines the effects of ability grouping on fifth grade students at 47 elementary schools in a large urban school district. Using disaggregated standardized test data that statistically measures achievement growth, this study analyzes gains among students assigned to prior achievement quintiles as compared to three grouping strategies: homogeneous, heterogeneous with special classes for advanced and special education, and heterogeneous ability groups. The findings suggest that the grouping strategies used in these schools are effective for the students at these schools. Most significant is that, on average, low achieving schools are grouping students in ways that are exhibiting positive gains among low achievers. Conversely, schools with large populations of high achievers are grouping in ways that are making gains among high achievers. Average students show similar gains among all three grouping strategies. Overall, the research and data suggest the importance of using multiple data sources, knowledge of students and school culture, as well as pedagogy to determine appropriate grouping strategies for particular schools.

The Effects of Flexible Ability Grouping on Mathematics Improvement and Self-concepts in the Intermediate Grades

The Effects of Flexible Ability Grouping on Mathematics Improvement and Self-concepts in the Intermediate Grades
Author: Sara Curran
Publisher:
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2017
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9781369885507

This research investigated the effects of the ability grouping method of between-classroom flexible grouping on intermediate elementary students' mathematical concept improvement and academic self-concepts. This ability grouping method involved relocating students among classrooms within a grade level, based on ability, for mathematics instruction. Pretests, given prior to each mathematics unit, determined students' placements for each unit of study, resulting in the flexible grouping of students into groups throughout the course of the school year. The treatment group, implementing between-classroom flexible grouping for mathematics instruction, consisted of 140 fourth and fifth grade students at two elementary schools. The comparison group, utilizing heterogeneous classrooms, included 142 fourth and fifth grade students at one elementary school. All three schools were situated within one suburban Chicago school district. A quasi-experimental, quantitative research design was employed to collect data. The STAR Math test was administered in the fall (pretest) and in the spring (posttest) of the school year to ascertain mathematical concept improvement. The School Subjects and Mathematics subscales of the Self-Description Questionnaire I were administered to determine students' general academic self-concepts and mathematics self- concepts. At the fourth grade level, the treatment group reported higher mathematical concept improvement, academic self-concepts, and mathematics self-concepts than the comparison group. However, a statistically significant difference was only found for academic self-concepts. At the fifth grade level, the comparison group achieved higher mathematical concept improvement and academic self-concepts. The treatment group attained higher mathematics self-concepts. No statistical significance was determined. When fourth and fifth grades were combined, the treatment group outperformed the comparison group for mathematical concept improvement, academic self-concepts, and mathematics self-concepts. Statistical significance was not attained. In addition, this study attempted to confirm the assertions of Marsh's Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect. A positive correlation between mathematical ability levels and mathematics self-concepts was noted for all subgroups. A smaller range of mathematics self-concept means across ability levels was evident for the treatment group. The findings of this research suggest between-classroom flexible grouping may benefit intermediate elementary students, but more research is necessary to fully gauge its effects.

The Impact of Math Ability Grouping on Second Grade Student Growth

The Impact of Math Ability Grouping on Second Grade Student Growth
Author: Cristil Rogers
Publisher:
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2012
Genre: Ability grouping in education
ISBN:

There are many research studies that support ability grouping, oppose ability grouping, and several that are neither for nor against this strategy. Therefore the basis for my research stems from the essential question, does ability grouping improve the assessment scores of students? For this study the second grade math assessment scores of two classrooms were analyzed. One study group was exposed to between-class ability grouping while the other group was exposed to within-class ability grouping. These two strategies were the primary grouping method for math instruction in these two separate environments. The pre- and post-test assessment scores of the Place Value District Common Assessment were used as the measurement tool to compare the results for each group. Through this action research one can conclude that the effects of grouping students by ability level in both with-in class and between-class groups lends to similar results. There is no evidence from this study that suggest using any type of ability grouping has a negative effect on academic growth.

Mixed Ability Grouping

Mixed Ability Grouping
Author: Charles Bailey
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2016-09-13
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1315533596

The book, first published in 1983, explores the argument that justifies mixed ability groupings in schools and the consequences of practicing the different justificatory arguments. The issues to be dealt with by staff making decisions about grouping arrangements in their schools are clearly worked out from basic principles rooted in social philosophy. The ideas of social justice and fraternity, implicit and unexamined in much discussions about mixed-ability grouping are here explained and their limitations and implications described. The issues discussed in this book are not only important for teachers and for those studying to become teachers, but also for school governors, administrators and parents who can gain a better understanding of the school system through this study.