Ability grouping in the secondary school: attitudes of teachers of practically based subjects

Statements_____________________________________________

Art

Music

Drama

PE

Sig

Able pupils_________________________________________

Bright children are neglected or held back in mixed ability
classes______________________________________________________

1.82

(1.29)

2.14
(1.08)

2.03
(1.05)

2.14

(1.1)

"Ns

Setting ensures that brighter children make maximum
progress_______________________________________________

2.53
(.88)

2.72
(.91)

2.39

(1.25)

2.93
(.82)

.008

Setting prevents brighter children being inhibited by
negative peer pressure____________________________________

2.5
(1.03)

2.58
(.82)

2.12

(1.1)

2.48
(.99)

^^NS

Statements_____________________________________________

Art

Music

Drama

PE

Sig

Personal and social educational outcomes_____________

Setting has a damaging effect on the self-esteem of those
in lower sets______________________________________________

2.56
(1.04)

2.41
(.95)

(1.19)

2.15
(1.06)

.027

Setting children stigmatises those perceived as less able

2.51
(1.08)

2.79
(.91)

2.58

(1.3)

2.31
(1.07

^^NS

Less able children compare themselves unfavourably to
more able children in mixed ability classes________________

2
(1.06)

2.21
(1.0)

1.88
(1.08)

2.21
(.89)

"ns

Mixed ability grouping leads to better social adjustment
for the less able pupils______________________________________

2.74
(.85)

2.58
(.82)

2.91
(.93)

2.43
(.89)

.024

Mixed ability grouping leads to better social adjustment
of all pupils_________________________________________________

2.76
(.89)

2.55
(.74)

2.73

(1.1)

2.2
(.89)

.0001

Overall, motivation is higher when pupils are in mixed
ability classes_______________________________________________

2.01
(1.02)

2
(.87)

2.27
(.91)

1.67
(.89)

.006

Knowing they are in a low set leads to pupils giving up

2.44
(1.07)

2.22
(.99)

2.67
(1.08)

1.76
(1.02)

.0001

Statements_____________________________________________

Art

Music

Drama

PE

~Sig~~

Equal opportunities_________________________________

Setting benefits the more able pupils at the expense of the
less able_____________________________________________________

1.84

(1.24)

1.71

(1.11)

2.03

(1.24)

1.32
(1.08)

.005

Mixed ability grouping gives each child a fair chance

2.07
(.99)

1.86
(1.03)

2
(1.09)

1.67
(1.04)

^^NS

Mixed ability classes provide the less able pupils with
positive models of achievement_________________________

2.73
(.79)

2.58
(.82)

2.81
(.97)

2.73
(.79)

.007

Statements_____________________________________________

Art

Music

Drama

PE

Sig

Behaviour______________________________________

In general there are more discipline problems in mixed
ability classes_______________________________________________

1.67

(1.37)

1.79

(1.14)

1.61

(1.12)

2.09
(1.09)

^^NS

Where classes are set there are more discipline problems
in the lower ability classes__________________________________

2.63

(1.11)

2.54

(1.14)

2.76
(1.03)

2.27

1.19)

"ns

Attendance and exclusion__________________________

Art

Music

Drama

PE

Where classes are set there is more truancy from pupils in
the lower sets_____________________________________________

2.05
(.78)

2.06
(.64)

2
(.66)

1.71

(.97)

.036

Where classes are set there are more exclusions of pupils
in the lower sets

2.08
(.87)

2.18
(.73)

2.27
(.67)

1.91
.91)

^^NS