Barriers to Detracking….

One of the biggest barriers I have noticed people mentioning in articles is money. The article:
Reform: Without Cost?
did a huge numerical study about the financial implications of what it takes to detrack classrooms. The findings showed that, yes indeed it is expensive to detrack (I would also like to mention that the statistics show that students in high-track classes suffer lower test scores in detracked classroom, which I believe is the biggest load of shit ever) classrooms. The article does explain itself in the conclusion that it is not meant to be an argument against detracking, just showing evidence, but it really angered me that someone would even put a cost certificate on detracking. Speaking in economic terms, not just “financial” terms, there is an opportunity cost in everything. The educational opportunity cost of tracking is costing each student in low-tracked classes a massive amount of social AND educational worth, each student in high-tracked classes a massive amount of social worth, and is costing each teacher the opportunity of having their eyes opened to new and innovative ways to teach students. If the biggest barrier to detracking is financial obligations, then show me the money as far as I am concerned. Seriously, the drawbacks I mentioned for tracking students/teachers are completely financially priceless. The look on a student when they finally break the barrier and understand, the growth in each student as they learn to live aside one another, and the challenge to overcome the social structure of iniquity for teachers cannot carry a price tag. To say there is a financially tough decision to make is completely ridiculous. After reading the article I almost felt the need to take a shower.

~ by thedarksideofdan on April 17, 2007.