setting / streaming

Question 1

what is setting?

Answer 1

students being placed in ‘sets’/classes based on their ability in a subject

Question 2

what is streaming?

Answer 2

placing students into a ‘stream’ of subjects all at the same level based upon ability

Question 3

who is more likely to be placed into lower sets?

Answer 3

working class, afro carribean

Question 4

who is more likely to be placed into higher sets?

Answer 4

middle class, indian and chinese

Question 5

what did keddie find?

Answer 5

lower sets:
- less challenging work
- entered into lower tier exams
- ‘cooled down’
- ‘dumbed down resources’

higher sets:
- challenging work - extension activities
- positive reinforcement - higher tier exams
- ‘warmed up’

higher sets - positive and challenging environment
lower sets - demotivated and lack self esteem

Question 6

what did lacey find?

Answer 6

2 processes in setting and streaming:
- differentiation
- polarization - higher achievers gaining status, lower achievers rejected by the education system

led to the formation of pro and anti subcultures

Question 7

what did gillbourn and youdell find?

Answer 7

wc and black pupils are less likely to be perceived as having potential so entered for lower papers , put in lower sets

Question 8

evaluation

Answer 8

ball - removal of setting and streaming lessened anti-school subcultures

boaler - lower sets are ‘psychological prisons’

education cuts - lower sets more likely to be impacted

mixed ability groups perform better