Teach Sleep Repeat Ep 54: Mixed Ability or Sets: Should We Group Classes Based On Ability?
Over the years, the narrative has changed as more and more research became available.
The overarching thought now is that setting in primary schools is not the way forward and that instead we should teach mixed-ability classes across the board.
But does this work in reality?
What are the drawbacks?
What is the ultimate best way to teach children?
We talk about the evidence, the lived experience, and all the possible options in detail during this episode.
Let us know what you think.
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Key Ideas
Taking care of one's health is crucial for teachers to perform their best.
Handwriting is an important skill that should be given dedicated time and attention in the curriculum.
Teaching foundational skills in math, such as time-telling and mental arithmetic, is essential for students' overall mathematical understanding.
Certain areas of the curriculum, such as time-telling skills and reading time, are often disregarded but are important life skills.
The priorities in the curriculum should be re-evaluated to focus on skills that are relevant and beneficial for students' future.
Research suggests that setting in maths can have a marginal impact on attainment, with higher ability students benefiting more.
Teacher opinion is valuable in the decision-making process for setting, and tests can be used to support or inform decisions.
An ideal school system for setting involves considering the needs of individual students and using a combination of teacher opinion and empirical data.
An individualized approach to education is crucial, taking into account each student's needs and abilities.
School culture plays a significant role in creating a positive learning environment.
Sets should be fluid and based on ongoing assessment rather than predetermined.
Differentiation by outcome and support are important strategies for meeting students' needs.
Both mixed ability and setting have benefits and challenges, and a hybrid approach may be most effective.
Real-world skills and experiences should be incorporated into education.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Hayden's Illness
00:39 The Importance of Handwriting
03:23 Teaching Foundational Skills
05:19 Disregarded Areas of the Curriculum
06:36 Differences in Pronunciation
08:49 Teaching Small Goals and Celebrating Progress
09:31 Finding Time for Handwriting
10:00 Explaining the Purpose of Handwriting
11:26 The Impact of Laser-Focused Teaching
13:37 Disregarded Foundational Math Skills
16:09 The Importance of Time-Telling Skills
19:09 Re-evaluating the Curriculum Priorities
21:28 Future Episode on SATs and School Struggles
22:28 Instagram poll
24:04 Setting in primary schools
27:01 Takeaways from the Instagram poll
28:29 The debate on setting in maths and English
30:01 The impact of setting on attainment
32:25 The benefits of setting in maths
34:36 The challenges of mixed ability in maths
38:16 The benefits of mixed ability in English
41:23 The challenges of mixed ability in English
43:10 The dilemma of setting and the role of teacher opinion
45:05 The decision-making process for setting
47:07 Setting in an ideal school system
47:55 Mixed Ability vs. Setting
48:29 Individualized Approach
48:56 Importance of School Culture
49:24 Fluidity of Sets
50:20 Realistic Approach
51:15 Negative Effects of Mixed Ability
52:07 Differentiation
53:25 Differentiation by Outcome
54:10 Differentiation by Support
55:08 Limitations of Differentiation
56:07 Benefits and Challenges of Setting
59:19 Differentiation in the Past
01:00:17 Differentiation by Size
01:00:38 Differentiation by Support
01:01:50 Limitations of Differentiation by Support
01:06:01 Realism vs. Idealism
01:10:38 Example of Effective Streaming
01:11:46 Reacting to Children's Needs
01:12:36 Importance of Support in Education
01:13:06 Broadening Horizons
01:14:22 Importance of Real-World Skills
01:15:20 Summary and Call for Stories