Tracking in Schools

Grouping students by ability is one of the more contentious issues schools face. Teachers often say it makes their job easier, and some studies suggest students learn better in a homogeneous environment. But administrators and politicians tend to be less supportive. Low income students are often placed in the lower tracks, and some say a placement there means being stuck in the same track for an entire academic career. We'll talk about the pros and cons of ability grouping and what schools in New Hampshire think about the tracking system. Laura's guests are Chuck Ott, superintendent of SAU 56, and Rob Fried, author of "The Passionate Learner: How Teachers and Parents Can Help Children Reclaim the Joy of Discovery".