Blog Post #9 "Why Schools Need to Take Another Route"

            In this reading, the author Jeannie Oakes talks about how tracking students have positive and negative aspects to it. According to the reading one major aspect to tracking is that, “tracking leads to many differences in the day-to-day learning experience students have in school.” Meaning anyone in these types of environments have access to richer schooling experiences compared to other students. Other great reasons for tracking can help school educators see what needs to be changed if there are changes that do need to be made tracking sometimes seems to “work” for high ability students. Sometimes there are some uneven opportunities, in high-ability classes tend to have better instructions meaning the teaching skills would be considered better. A study was made to see if this statement is true. According to Oakes, “top-track classes spend more time on learning activities and less on disapline, socializing, or class routine.” Which means students are expected to spend more time on homework also in a classroom setting like this, instructions are clearer and criticism from teachers are much stronger which is better than students in a normal classroom or students in low income neighborhoods that don’t succeed to the schools standards. According to this reading, children who live in low income neighborhoods which attend schools in not the best neighborhood sometimes “ students who need more time to learn appear to get less; those who have the most difficultly learning seem to have fewer of the best teachers.” Teachers also take notice that if a child is comfortable in classroom and trust one another, the energy and time spent in the classroom has a better outcome for teaching and learning. Studies have also shown due to tracking that In low-ability classes, “teachers seem to be less encouraging and more punitive, placing more emphasis on discipline and behavior and less on academic learning.” Then if you compare teachers in High-ability classes, “they seem to be more concerned about getting students to follow directions, be on time, and sit quietly.” Due to all these studies and proven facts due to tracking, tracking can actually help more students and change bad situations into good situations. This reading would help people or educators realize that depending on the situation and the environment children are exposed too, tracking can help them in ways nobody could imagine. 

Question: what is your look on tracking? Do you believe tracking can actually help low-income students succeed?