Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion After decade of criticism, student grouping rises

Ahhh-- you beat me to it! I was just coming to post this.

I'm flabbergasted at some of the comments which indicate that such a practice is "wrong" or "harmful," however...

and deeply saddened by the remarks from educators which indicate a mindset which entirely fails to even contemplate what to do with children who are either unable to learn at the pace of the other 25-30 children in a classroom... or have no need to "learn" anything being taught in that room to begin with, since they already know it.

The teacher who indicated that failing to 'group' for instruction was effectively failing to teach 2/3rd of the class in their proximal zone was absolutely accurate.

What amazes me is that they really believe this stuff. Many people I've spoken to have been so committed to this kind of thing, there is no changing their opinions.

I remember debating a proposed project that was based on a blatantly pseudoscientific method. I was not the only person in the room who felt this way and we were picking it apart. Another person responded, "Everything you say is correct, but I'm going to give this one a very high rating because if it's right, it would just be so wonderful."

I honestly have no idea how to counter this way of "thinking."