Kansas Schools Drop Grade Groupings
by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
Kansas City lost half its public school students and is closing about 40% of its schools to avoid bankruptcy. Yet there's optimism and excitement about a new system that will be put in place in the fall for 17,000 elementary students according to an Associated Press article.
Instead of moving kids from grade to grade, students sometimes of varying ages will be grouped by ability, working at their own pace, conferring with teachers who might teach small groups at the same levels. Once kids master a subject, they move up a level. Students who complete high school work, can move up to college courses. Those needing more time will have it.
The system then doesn't label anyone a failure and it's believed that the approach cuts down discipline problems because advanced students aren't bored and struggling students aren't frustrated.
Districts in Maine and Denver are using the system – an approach that deals with competency, not the hours kids sit in class. However, it's acknowledged that time and effort to get a community by-in is essential for success.
