Detracking for Excellence and Equity

by Carol Corbett Burris, Delia T. Garrity

Ability grouping. Leveling systems. Streaming. This is the modern way of talking about tracking -- the traditional practice of sorting and selecting students based on test scores and other criteria, and then steering these groups into "the most appropriate" course of study. In 1987, New York's suburban Rockville Centre School District faced the fact that its longstanding tracking system was resulting in unequal educational opportunities and allowing racial and socioeconomic stratification of its student population. School leaders embarked on an ambitious program of reexamining beliefs about intelligence, ability, and instruction, and offering all students the opportunity to study a rigorous curriculum in heterogeneous classrooms. In this book, authors Carol Corbett Burris and Delia T. Garrity, veterans of the Rockville Centre School District, offer an experience-based and research-supported argument that detracking--implemented with planning, patience, and persistence--can do in every school district what it did in raise achievement across the board and dramatically narrow the achievement gap. Their main goal is a practical to provide educational leaders with proven strategies for launching, sustaining, and monitoring a successful detracking reform. Here, you'll read
* Why detracking is necessary, the benefits it brings, and how to build support among teachers and parents

* How to revise curriculum to "level-up" instruction

* How to establish a multiyear, personalized professional development program to help teachers address new instructional needs

* How to best support effective teaching and learning in a heterogeneous classroom
Detracking for Excellence and Equity outlines a comprehensive approach built on self-reflection, direct action, vigilant supervision, and a set of very clear that schools and opportunity matter; that acceleration and enrichment will improve all students' achievement; and that all students deserve access to the best curriculum.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Chris Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing commentary and a case study on providing equitable learning opportunities

Our STEM academy program accepts students who have an A or B average in 6th grade and positive teacher recommendations. I wondered if this was a form of tracking students. As I read Detracking..., I was encouraged that since our district is beginning to offer similar accelerated classes in the other junior highs that we are moving in the right direction of providing equitable learning opportunities: equal access to challenging courses. The academy model is becoming more popular so it is important to consider how the choices that students make early in this course series can result in a greater chance of students missing out on being exposed to more challenging courses and missing out on considering more challenging careers.

[Anne Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in education research and practices that increase equity - this is a great read! If these topics don't interest you, I'd pass on this one.

This book was an informative, helpful tool that I was able to implement into my own work.

[Ryan Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly-written summary of the data that's very clear: tracking students is harmful. Contains both the research and some practical suggestions for moving forward.

[Julie Markussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important work about equity and access in American public schools.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of how an upper middle class town in Long Island succeeded in detracking its schools. Unlike many education books, this one goes into detail on how the initiative was planned and executed, and how they solved the kinds of problems that usually derail progressive initiatives.