High School Question about Streaming

[Sainters7]

So as I've mentioned before, I'm an Education student at the UofA. Me and a buddy in the same program were having a debate today about streaming in high schools(streaming is having pure and applied versions of subjects, ie taking Social Studies 10 or 13 in grade 10).

Alot of people feel they should just stick everyone in one class(ie just have a Social Studies grade 10), as they feel streaming closes doors in the future for students taking the lower level class. Others however feel its not fair to place them all in the same class when some just may not be suited for say Math 10 Pure, and should have the option of taking it at a more well-suited level for them. It was a pretty good debate actually, I'm interested to hear your guys' thoughts on it.

[flip]

Although I don't like how decisions when you're 14 and 15 can affect the rest of your life put me in the ultra pro streaming camp.

I took all AP and did SOOO much better because of it. Fast moving classes without tiny time wasting homework assignments. Just essays, midterms and finals, just like uni.

I am blessed to learn quickly, specifically in Math, and can't handle waiting for the kids who need more help. In fact it is a disadvantage to them to be in a class like me because I have no patience and some AP teachers didn't.

All kids regardless of skill level should have the same opportunities to receive a good education. In a lot of respects streaming helps this. It has its drawbacks I'll admit, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Sainters7]

Nice write-up, and I agree. I am in the pro-streaming camp as well(though I do admit it has its drawbacks). The dude I was talkin to was absolutely dead-set against it.

[Kybosh]

If I was in an accelerated class I might have gone to class more often. The only option was some AP classes and they didn't seem all that different from the normal classes. I would've loved a more loose university structured class. I was that smart ass kid in high school that was so bored all the time with the classes that even if I did go, I never paid attention. Some of my teachers and councilors said I would never amount to much. I'm almost done my PhD. now. . .take that high school.

[bcb]

I teach high school science.

Streaming works in principle because most of the kids taking 14/24 or "dash 2" courses are not motivated enough to take academic courses.

A problem though: Having taught science 14 and 24, I can say that the majority of students will likely have to upgrade at some point, as most technical school post-secondary programs will require a 20-level academic science.

Another problem: The non-academic courses are designed for just that: Non-academic. What often happens is schools also lump students with behavior issues all into one class. As a teacher, this can make trying to get through to these kids challenging.

BUT: A good teacher has to be versatile enough to be able to concurrently teach both academic and non-academic courses.

[JohnnyFlame]

I have found it works perfectly. I had one of my daughters who started with the lower math, got her confidence and went on to the pure math stream. Looks like one of my son's is following suit as he did very well in the lower math and is now going to move up.

They can always just finish a semester early and upgrade or finish and then upgrade. Starting students off well is a good idea. Having them get frustrated early is dumb.

[Kipper is King]

I took AP English in HS, as well as AP Social Studies, then the rest was regular -1 stream...

...Except for math. I struggled so much on my first try at pure math 10, and taking it again only earned me a minimal pass, despite my best effort. After carefully researching university requirements, I dropped down to Applied.

I was much better for that. I am now in university majoring in English, and I'm perfectly happy.