Tracking: Why Schools Need to Take Another Route by Oakes

What this article is about:

1. Tracking
2. Ability
3. Class size
4. Curriculum
5. Quality
6. Teachers
7. Assessments
8. Opportunity
9. Alternatives

All if these are very important to the idea Oakes is trying to say. I believe this quote is important:

"Students do differ from one another, the most striking differences among them might be in the speed at speed at which the master sequential present skills."

I believe that all students learn differently, and this tracking system seems inherently unfair to those who have more difficult learning. If it is known that you are a slower learner, you automatically get put in what is basically a Lower class of learning. Getting what, to me, is a second class education. Compared to those on the "Fast Track" get an education that is better.

The article tells us that high track students get a better education than those on the "gifted program" and all of these students were almost guaranteed admission into my high school. This program puts select children on a path to a better education. Because of this track there are kids who go to lower class schools and receive a lower education. These other schools also have a high drop out rate. This contributes to a lower education quality than the students in a better school

Tracking to me seems like a bad idea, i do feel like we need to have classes for people who excel, but offering the same education to all is key.