Vicki's Tracking in Schools Critical Conversation Response

While tracking has its pros and cons, I believe that yes, tracking should absolutely be eliminated from schools. While different from ability grouping, but used synonymously anyway, the social and emotional impact that it has on kids trumps the benefits of it any day. A student is chosen from a very early age of what track they’re going to be put on, and not only does this establish assumptions about the student, but it also limits them to certain opportunities. We have our teachers that determine their abilities at such a young age based off of their own judgment and assumptions which could limit a student’s opportunities throughout their educational experience because it becomes a snowball effect that eventually transcends into college. If a student is placed in the advanced level track in elementary school, this extends into middle school which gives them the opportunity to take classes that then become prerequisites for high school. In addition, the emotional effect that it has on students is so critical because that student then becomes aware to the fact that they could not make it to the higher track because instead, they were placed in the lower one. This placement automatically sends a message to the particular student telling them that they are not good enough academically, which is not only unhealthy for their self-esteem, but unhealthy for their wellbeing in general. One particular experience that I have with tracking is when I took a placement exam to be in an Algebra regent class in 8^th grade. Of course the placement exam was difficult, but I ended up passing and was therefore placed into the class. Although I was content with being in the class, I couldn’t help but to think what would’ve happened to me if I didn’t get in. Moreover, I knew of many people who wanted to get into the class, but sadly did not get in because of one test which then therefore created a cycle against them. Those who were in the class got to take geometry in their first year of high school which then pushed them ahead and gave them more opportunities, whereas those who expressed an interest in the class were held back because of not passing a test, and whose self-esteems were affected, would limit them for the rest of their high school and their further education. Yes tracking can push students on the higher track forward by challenging them and their abilities, but we cannot forget about the bigger system faced against students not on this track.