streaming

• what is streaming?


  sorting children into groups based on their ability so they can be taught separately.
• what is most likely to happen when pupils are streamed?

  self fulfilling prophecy
• Becker's study on 60 Chicago high schools shows that WC pupils aren't seen as ideal pupils. what does this lead to?

  makes it harder for WC students to move up streams as teacher expectations put them in lower streams (sets).

  • causes a self fulfilling prophecy where the pupil lives up to the expectations of underachieving.
• how do MC pupils benefit from streaming?

  teacher expectations place them in high ability groups, boosting their self concept and helping them succeed.
• streaming and the A- C economy

  Gillborn & Youdell (2001): conducted a study of 2 high schools to show how teachers use stereotypes of 'ability' to stream pupils.
• according to the findings of the study conducted by G & Y (2001), what were WC and black pupils seen as?

  seen as low ability and were placed in low streams and entered for foundation papers
• what is the effect of placing pupils in low streams and entering them for foundation papers?

  denies them the knowledge and opportunities needed to get better grades.

  • less exposure to advanced topics hindering their overall understanding and skill development.
  • might believe their potential is underestimated.
• how does streaming link to exam league tables?

  schools need a good position on the league table to attract pupils and funding which is all based on how many A-C grades pupils in that school achieves.
• what does the link between streaming and exam league table mean?

  schools will focus on pupils with the potential to get high grades so the school's position on the league table improves.
• what is educational triage according to G & Y?

  where pupils are sorted into

  • those that will pass anyway
  • borderline pupils
  • hopeless cases that will fail regardless
• what are borderline pupils?

  pupils that can definitely achieve a C grade and so would receive the most resources and help.
• what did G & Y prove about streaming?

  that streaming combined with labelling/stereotyping can cause an achievement gap between social classes.
• according to G & Y, marketisation policies have become a part of streaming/labelling. Explain how

  competition between schools ( exam league tables ) encourages school to focus more on pupils who are more likely to achieve higher results

  • can further disadvantage those who are already marginalised.
• what is a criticism of G & Y study?

  • some may argue that pupils are not just passive victims.
  • does not consider that the prophecy is not always fulfilled.
• according to teacher stereotypes where would WC and black pupils be labelled as out of the three groups associated with the educational triage?

  labelled as hopeless cases and therefore put in low streams.

  • self fulfilling prophecy where these pupils end up failing.