Why track on the sports field, but not in the classroom?

Tyson Eberhardt / November 10, 2011

The performance of America's top students was a hot topic on Wisconsin's WSAU radio this morning, as Mike appeared to discuss the findings of Fordham's recent High Flyers study.? A key question was why tracking based on ability is common in other countries and other aspects of American schooling, but rare in classrooms. As Mike explains,

We still do this in math. We understand that if a kid is ready for calculus, it doesn't make sense to put that kid in algebra. But we don't have the same attitude when it comes to English, or when it comes to history, or when it comes to science.? We have this idea instead that everybody should be together. You know, look at our sports: In a high school, if you are one of the best players in the school you play varsity. If you're not, you play JV. You know, we're not afraid to have tracking when it comes to sports, when it comes to music, but when it comes to academics, for some reason that's different.

Listen here for more:

[powerpress]

Category: Curriculum & Instruction