On Tracking

Competition brings out the best in students. Tracking is a way to spark competition among students to move to the advanced track. The only way for tracking to be effective is if students were able to move up and down between tracks; a tracking system that acts like a caste system should not be implemented because it prevents students who have improved beyond their track from being challenged. Track mobility provides motivation for students to aspire to get into a higher track. It also prevents students from getting stuck in a track that is too advanced or too easy for them. Without tracking, advanced students would be stuck with students who learn at a slower pace than them, therefore slowing down the class overall. This is unfair for the students who can handle more advance material.

Although tracking is an effective tool in organizing students, it should not be implemented until high school. Students in lower grades tend to not be able to handle the differences in tracks as well as older students. Younger students are more sensitive and those in lower tracks could feel bad about their position and have lower self esteem. When they are older they would understand the track system is there to motivate them and give them the help that they need.