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Low Ability Groups Harm Kids' Behavior
20 Jul
Summary
- Children in lower ability groups at age seven show lasting hyperactivity.
- Research links early grouping to emotional and behavioral problems.
- Teachers should monitor wellbeing of lower-ability students closely.
Children who are placed in lower ability groups in primary school, starting at age seven, are likely to exhibit increased hyperactivity and emotional problems well into adolescence. This finding comes from new research analyzing data from over 7,000 UK pupils assessed up to age 14.
The study, published in the Child Development journal, focused on behavioral and emotional consequences, unlike previous research concentrated on academic attainment. The findings indicate that children in lower within-class ability groups consistently showed elevated emotional and behavioral issues compared to those not separated by ability. Even middle-ability groups exhibited more hyperactivity than non-grouped children.
While ability grouping is common in UK schools, with 79% of primary schools using it for seven-year-olds, the long-term behavioral impact is a significant concern. Researchers suggest that if these associations are causal, these students require enhanced monitoring and support to prevent compromised development. The exact mechanisms, whether stigmatization or social comparison, require further investigation.
