Setting and streaming

• Streaming

  Students are sorted into classes according to ability. However, students placed in bottom streams aren't challenged enough while top set students struggle in some
• Setting

  Students are sorted into classes according to ability but on a subject-by-subject basis, e.g. student could be top set maths but bottom set music
• Keddie

  • Lower sets = less challenging work, entered into lower tier exams, "dumbed down" resources
  • Higher sets = challenging work, positive reinforcement
• Contemporary applications

  • Setting and streaming persist in education, especially in Maths and English
  • Marketisation of education leads to students being streamed into "achievable qualifications"
  • Rise of BTEC qualifications replacing A-Levels
• Mixed ability

  Students are sorted into classes that aren't based on ability so that the highest and lowest achieving students are taught together
• Ball

  Teachers had high expectations for the highest ability classes, receiving more encouragement while those in lower sets suffered from negative labelling