They typically ability group for reading in the younger grades (like K-2). DD is now in third and there hasn't been any ability-grouping. I think she has 26 kids in her class. The principal had the brilliant idea to put the "gifted cluster" which is 4 kids, in with the neediest, lowest level kids, probably in an attempt to even things out (as if gifted kids are going to be easy! Oh, yeah, they can just be shoved in a corner and ignored since they know the standards already or can teach themselves).
The new teacher that DS will have for second grade said that she ability groups for math (this is the first time I ever heard of that in this district)...but DS is so high there would be no one else close to his level.
These large class sizes that you all are talking about, are there aides or paras in the class to help? Or is it really one teacher with the large class? I don't think this school has aides/paras except for the kids who have them on their IEP.
