Wednesday, July 30, 2014

My Opinion on Tracking in Schools


         I believe that there is no exact answer to “ should tracking be used in schools”.  It works well in some situations, and can be detrimental in others. In lower and middle school, tracking can set a student’s social life, lower their self-esteem permanently, and keep students behind academically. Before these students even know who they are socially or academically. Tracking makes students who are placed in lower tracks forced to stay there and never reach their full potential. It also helps students who are originally placed in the advanced tracks over achieve. Once students reach high school they are surer of who they are socially and academically, so the academic construct of tracking can be helpful for students.          Olivia said something during the debate that I agree with fully. If a student has a physical disability the teacher may judge their academic ability based on the physical. The student may be placed in a track that is below their ability. This will change the student’s whole life. This also shows how imperfect the educational system is. Students are not only being placed because of their merit and mental ability. The first impression the student has on the teacher (whether it’s racial, discipline, or physical) can impact where they end up being tracked. 


-- Nicole Stern

No comments:

Post a Comment