Archived: The Educational System in the United States: Case Study Findings

Individual Differences and the United States
Education System
...............................................
59
By: Douglas Trelfa
Introduction ...................................................................................................
59
Field Research and the Topic of Investigation .............................................
60
Overview of Ability Grouping and Tracking in the United States ...............
61
Reactions to Tracking System ...................................................................
65
Career Guidance ........................................................................................
66
Perceived Sources of Differences in Ability and the Range of Differences
Within the Classroom ............................................................................
68
Teachers’ Views .........................................................................................
69
Parents’ Views ...........................................................................................
71
Students’ Views .........................................................................................
73
Strategies for Dealing with Individual Differences .......................................
74
Age-Graded Classrooms in Elementary Schools ........................................
75
Individualized Instruction in Elementary Schools .....................................
76
Computers and individualized instruction in elementary schools .......
76
Tracking and Ability Grouping ..................................................................
77
Metropolitan School ...............................................................................
77
Vanderbilt Middle School ......................................................................
78
Cooperative Learning Groups ...................................................................
78
Tutoring .....................................................................................................
80
Question-and-Answer Periods ....................................................................
80
Homework .................................................................................................
81
Grading and Evaluation .................................................................................
83
Special Problems in Urban Schools ..............................................................
85
Low Attendance .........................................................................................
85
Discipline ...................................................................................................
86
Other Concerns and Issues .......................................................................
87
Summary ....................................................................................................
88
Gender Equity in Math and Science .............................................................
88
Ethnicity and Access to Equal Education ......................................................
90
Race and Tracking .....................................................................................
90
Peer Pressure .............................................................................................
91

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viii
Peer pressure at Uptown High School ..................................................
92
Peer pressure in the suburbs .................................................................
93
Race and Vocational Education .................................................................
94
Vocational education at Hamilton High School ....................................
94
Vocational education at Uptown High School ......................................
95
Vocational education at South Central Vocational High School ..........
95
Education for Students with Disabilities .......................................................
97
Special and Remedial Education in the Case Study Schools ....................
98
Education for the Gifted Student ..................................................................
102
Programs for Gifted Students ....................................................................
102
Summary ........................................................................................................
104
Chapter 4