Tracking (education)

Tracking, phasing or streaming refers to grouping students by academic ability for all subjects or certain classes and curriculum within a school. Track assignment is typically based on academic ability, such as test scores, but other factors often influence placement. In a tracking system, the entire school population is assigned to classes according to whether the students' overall achievement is above average, normal, or below average. Students attend academic classes only with students whose overall academic achievement is the same as their own. Tracking remains a controversial practise due to the positive and negative effects for advantaged and disadvantaged learners respectively, and some schools have lead efforts to detrack their curricula. Tracking generally applies to comprehensive schools, while selective school systems assign the students to different schools. Students with special educational needs may be tracked into a self-contained classroom or a separate special school, rather than being included in a mixed-ability class.