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

Factors

1

2

3

Setting children stigmatises those perceived as less able

.630

.285

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

.496

.414

In general there are more discipline problems in mixed ability
classes

-.515

.346

Setting leads to teachers ignoring the fact that a class always
contains a range of abilities

.338

.559

Mixed ability grouping gives each child a fair chance

.547

-.348

.205

Setting ensures that brighter children make maximum progress

.496

-.283

Overall motivation is higher when pupils are in mixed ability
classes

.676

-.300

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

.265

.544

Only very good teachers can teach mixed ability classes

.469

243

successfully

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

Mixed ability classes provide the less able pupils with positive

.644

.694

.

202

models of achievement

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

Teaching is easier for the teacher when classes are set

.608

.Z,uZ,

.787

Less able children compare themselves unfavourably to more

-.526

.370

able children in mixed ability classes

Bright children are neglected or held back in mixed ability

-.507

.581

classes

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

.740

In mixed ability classes teachers tend to teach to the average

_- 419

.446

child

Mixed ability grouping leads to better social adjustment for all
pupils

.“

.742

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

.619

.351

lower sets

Setting makes classroom management easier

Teaching the lower sets requires a different approach to teaching
the higher sets

.697

.589

Setting prevents brighter children being inhibited by negative
peer pressure

-.279

.591

Setting enables pupils' curriculum needs to be better matched

-.306

.656

-.217

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

.497

.558