The Edvocate

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Edupedia
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • P-20 Ed Careers

logo

The Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Edupedia
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • P-20 Ed Careers
  • Leveraging Education Assessment Systems to Improve Schools and Teaching

  • Consonant: Everything You Need to Know

  • Montessori Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

  • 10 Fascinating Chemistry Experiments

  • Universal Preschool: Everything You Need to Know

  • 25 of the Most Amazing Chemistry Facts

  • Reggio Emilia Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

  • Learning and Teaching Spanish

  • The Associate’s Degree: Everything You Need to Know

  • Commencement: Everything You Need to Know

Retention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics
Home›Retention & Social Promotion Series›Pass or Fail: Classroom Organization Redesigns

Pass or Fail: Classroom Organization Redesigns

By Matthew Lynch
February 5, 2018
3969
0
pass or fail
Spread the love

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively.

While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country?

If your child was excelling academically, would it matter that they were doing so in a nontraditional classroom?

Breaking Down the Walls

Renee Goularte was originally a third-grade teacher whose classroom was adjacent to that of first-grade teacher Ziem Nguyen. They often collaborated and finally asked to have the wall between their classrooms removed. Materials were shared among all students, and students were encouraged to move back and forth between the classrooms. For two years their informal collaboration continued, with little or no pushback from students, administration, or parents. But then Goularte and Nguyen decided to make their relationship formal and get the official designation as a multiage classroom.

She says: “Within a month of a presentation to our staff, describing what we had been doing and how we planned to continue to develop our program, a few concerned parents began disseminating incorrect, negative information about our proposed program.” Goularte and Nguyen had to spend the entire summer in meetings, trying to counteract the false information that had been passed around. When fall came, seven parents requested that their children be moved out of the multiage classroom. Three students ended up moving; the rest stayed.

But the story has a happy ending. Parents quickly saw how well their students were doing, and they called the teachers to give them their support. Goularte mentions one parent in particular who had gone so far as to contact the district office to try to get her daughter moved. Goularte asked her just to come into the class to observe. Once the mother did so, she began offering to volunteer.

And then, at the Back-to-School Night, when some parents began questioning the multiage classroom decision, this mother stood up and gave a speech in support of Goularte and Nguyen’s work. Goularte says: “Over a year later, during her daughter’s second year with us, she came to me to tell me that they were thinking of moving to another state, but she wanted her daughter in another multiage class—that she didn’t want her in a single grade class again.”

Classroom Organization

Streaming, setting, and banding are different models used within the school system to organize classrooms beyond just age. The streaming approach allows students to be divided into classes based on a measurement of intelligence or attainment, or even their developmental level. For instance, students who are achieving “A” grades or similar on testing or assessments can be grouped together for certain subjects. Those who achieve “B” grades or similar can be grouped together, and so on.

The setting is also used to organize the teaching of certain subjects based on ability, even though many schools otherwise operate with mixed-ability classes. Streaming can be used for English, mathematics, sciences, and modern languages, allowing classes to be organized in terms of ability groups. Such homogenous ability groups allow teachers to concentrate on addressing key knowledge areas pertinent to the students’ particular needs.

Multiage Learning Advantages

Grouping children together by various attributes unrelated to age or grade can increase efficiency and productivity by allowing the teacher to concentrate on teaching to a specific level. If for instance, a large group of children was tested for writing aptitude and various individuals fell out into the first through fourth quartiles, it might make sense to group or “band” students by the quartile of achievement for further instruction. Again, doing so would allow the teacher to fine tune a presentation for a specific audience.

Based on the available research, and in light of the current issues with the graded system, the multiage approach appears to be the best option for redesigning the organization of classrooms. Even so, we would be well advised to consider alternative organization strategies that still make use of age. Multiage classrooms appear to work particularly well for elementary-school-age students, giving younger children time to familiarize themselves with the classroom environment and the learning experience. At the same time, there is a need to recognize that all students are different, and some of these differences in interest, ability, and aptitude are clearly associated with age.

With this in mind, grouping students into educational units based on common ability level would support the needs of the individual at all levels of accomplishment. The goal of each tiered classroom would not be simply to teach the student or the class at some prescribed level. Rather, the goal would be to find each student’s areas of weakness and strength, so that teaching methods could be adjusted to challenge, as well as support.

How apprehensive would you be if your child’s school adopted the multiage approach?

TagsK-12retention and social promotion series
Previous Article

How to Teach Your Children to Obtain ...

Next Article

12 Questions that Parents Have About EdTech

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • pass or fail
    Retention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics

    Pass or Fail: Teacher Qualifications for Standardized Education

    December 12, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • pass or fail
    Retention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics

    Pass or Fail: Revising Academic Standards and Accountability

    September 17, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • pass or fail
    Policy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics

    Pass or Fail: How to Choose an Alternative Strategy to Social Promotion and Retention

    June 24, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • social promotion in schools
    Retention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics

    Pass or Fail: The History of Social Promotion in the American Education System

    April 12, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • pass or fail
    Retention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics

    Pass or Fail: The Importance of Academic Consistency

    September 27, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • pass or fail
    Retention & Social Promotion SeriesTrending Topics

    Pass or Fail: Effective Education Policies to Respond to Social Promotion and Retention

    September 13, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Artificial IntelligenceEdTech & Innovation

    Customized Educational Programs Through AI

  • Artificial Intelligence

    How Artificial Intelligence is Boosting Personalization in Higher Education

  • Artificial IntelligenceEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    The Personal Teaching Assistant Every Educator Wants

Search

Registration and Login

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Subscribe to The Edvocate Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSS
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Leveraging Education Assessment Systems to Improve Schools and Teaching

    By Matthew Lynch
    August 19, 2022
  • Consonant: Everything You Need to Know

    By Matthew Lynch
    August 18, 2022
  • Montessori Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

    By Matthew Lynch
    August 18, 2022
  • 10 Fascinating Chemistry Experiments

    By Matthew Lynch
    August 18, 2022
  • Universal Preschool: Everything You Need to Know

    By Matthew Lynch
    August 17, 2022
  • 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 3, 2017
  • The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 29, 2016
  • 7 Benefits of STEM Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 12, 2019
  • What is Culturally Responsive Pedagogy?

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 21, 2016
  • pass or fail

    Black Boys in Crisis: Why Aren’t They Reading?

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 16, 2017
  • Keeping Students Engaged - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    August 19, 2022

    Parent Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

    […] technology, we have ...
  • How Ed-tech Empowers and Educates Children Through Developmental Delays – Fundacion Unidas
    on
    August 18, 2022

    Motor Skills Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

    […] actual physical treatment, ...
  • 1 in 10 teachers say they’ve been attacked by students | New Pittsburgh Courier
    on
    August 18, 2022

    The Lasting Effects after a Student Assaults a Teacher

    […] country report critical ...
  • 1 in 10 teachers say they’ve been attacked by students - Philippine Canadian Inquirer Nationwide Filipino Newspaper
    on
    August 18, 2022

    The Lasting Effects after a Student Assaults a Teacher

    […] country report critical ...
  • Developmental Milestones: Age 13 - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    August 18, 2022

    A Parent’s Guide to Developmental Milestones

    […] should be able ...

Ask an Expert

  • Ask An Expert

    How Dumbed Down Education Is Creating a National Security Crisis

    Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our country’s educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. With the various ailments plaguing our educational system, education reforms have attempted ...
  • Ask An Expert

    21 Inspirational Quotes That Nelson Mandela Made About Education

    Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. One of my heroes is the late-great Nelson Mandela, who ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyCareer ReadinessChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFirst Year TeachersFreshHigh SchoolK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingParent & Family TechParental InvolvementParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformPreK-12Special EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachers

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 7: How Digital Age Teachers Can Win Over Parents

    Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. One of the most integral parts of this collaborative team ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...

International Education

  • Education FoundationsInternational Education

    4 Reasons You Should Study Geography

    Spread the loveUsually, people are under the wrong impression that geography does not offer many job opportunities, and there are no jobs for a geographer. They think that studying geography ...
  • International Education

    How International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs Work

    Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. Unlike most other learning initiatives, this program deeply ...
  • International Education

    Globalization: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. There ...
  • AssessmentEducation LeadershipHigher EducationInternational EducationProfessional DevelopmentTeachers

    So You Want to Attend Graduate School: The 411 on Grad School Admissions Tests

    Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. If you’re planning to pursue a degree in business, law, medicine, or graduate ...
  • Higher EducationInternational Education

    What Extracurricular Activities Impress Colleges the Most?

    Spread the loveWhen you apply to schools that offer holistic admissions or apply to a college using the Common Application, you will have to describe your participation in extracurricular activities. ...

Early Childhood Education

  • Early ChildhoodPreK-12

    Montessori Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThe Montessori Preschool Program is one of the most popular preschool programs initiated by Maria Montessori in Rome. This type of teaching is child-focused, and each child is ...
  • Early ChildhoodPreK-12

    Universal Preschool: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveIn the United States, the Universal Preschool Movement (also called Universal Pre-K or Universal Pre-Kindergarten) aims to ensure every child, irrespective of the child’s grade, skill, or family ...
  • Early ChildhoodPreK-12

    Reggio Emilia Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveReggio Emilia Preschool Programs originated from Reggio Emilia in northern Italy. They engage children via the exploration of varied ideas, e.g., gardening, and other project-based activities, with the ...
  • Early ChildhoodPreK-12

    HighScope Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThese preschool programs, which are quite common in community-based programs such as the YMCA or other public centers, place emphasis on skills like counting, time-telling, and other practical ...
  • Early ChildhoodPreK-12

    Emergent Preschool Programs: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThis learning program can have varied constituents – depending on students and instructors. In this preschool program, teachers ensure the activities planned for the day are well suited ...

Gifted and Talented Education

  • Gifted and Talented Education

    Twice-Exceptional: What Does it Mean?

    Spread the loveTo be twice-exceptional is to be exceptionally gifted in some academic aspects while being below average compared to peers in other aspects. As a matter of fact, such ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    A Guide to Talent Search Programs

    Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Different avenues are then provided for these students to channel their ...
  • Gifted and Talented EducationK-12

    Homogeneous Grouping: What You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. For instance, gifted students are placed in one group, and students with special needs ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    Cluster Grouping: What You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. For example, about five to seven extremely bright pupils with comparable skill ...
  • Gifted and Talented EducationHigher Education

    Merit Scholarships: Everything Your Need to Know

    Spread the loveThese are monetary gifts awarded by institutions to superbly gifted students, who have set themselves apart by their exceptional performance in schoolwork, regardless of whether they require the ...

Black Boys in Crisis Series

  • Black Boys in Crisis

    The Importance of Mentoring Young African-American Males

    Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Compared to their middle-class counterparts, it ...
  • Black Boys in CrisisDiversityEquity

    7 Ways That Black Students are Discriminated Against in U.S K-12 Schools

    Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. It should come as no surprise that their children face the same ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGifted and Talented EducationHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningParent & Family TechParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformSecondary EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 4: How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom

    Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. To help you along your journey, here is your guide to exploring and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students while ...

RSS Matthew on Education Week

  • Au Revoir from Education Futures November 20, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • 6 Steps to Data-Driven Literacy Instruction October 17, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Four Keys to a Modern IT Approach in K-12 Schools October 2, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? September 27, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention September 10, 2018 Matthew Lynch

About Us

The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of America’s P-20 system.

That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning.  The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation.

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact

The Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright (c) 2022 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.