In my view, the problems with groups are as follows:
Pupils in the lower groups often feel that the teachers do not believe in them and so tend to live down to the expectations. This can also work in the opposite direction but I think that those who are capable of achieving will do so regardless.
Second, there are two conflicting demands on groups: flexibility and stability. Flexibility is required so that pupils do not find themselves stuck for long periods in the wrong group. This becomes even more critical if groups are determined in year 7. Stability is required so that teachers can plan their program for the year, and go through the syllabus with each group at a speed which is appropriate to that group. The problem there is that over the course of a year a more able group may have moved so much further ahead that moving up into that group becomes impossible because of all the catching up required.
There is also the issue that some schools operate a policy of swaps. So, if a pupil is capable of moving up to a more demanding group, the move may be blocked because there is not another pupil moving in the opposite direction. This may have more to do with the administration of groups than in the idea itself but whatever the reason, it is not right.
In my view, the problems with groups are as follows:
Pupils in the lower groups often feel that the teachers do not believe in them and so tend to live down to the expectations. This can also work in the opposite direction but I think that those who are capable of achieving will do so regardless.
Second, there are two conflicting demands on groups: flexibility and stability. Flexibility is required so that pupils do not find themselves stuck for long periods in the wrong group. This becomes even more critical if groups are determined in year 7. Stability is required so that teachers can plan their program for the year, and go through the syllabus with each group at a speed which is appropriate to that group. The problem there is that over the course of a year a more able group may have moved so much further ahead that moving up into that group becomes impossible because of all the catching up required.
There is also the issue that some schools operate a policy of swaps. So, if a pupil is capable of moving up to a more demanding group, the move may be blocked because there is not another pupil moving in the opposite direction. This may have more to do with the administration of groups than in the idea itself but whatever the reason, it is not right.