How does Ability Grouping differ from tracking?

Ability grouping is designed to create instructional groups that cater to the specific learning needs of students. This approach allows educators to address varying levels of ability within a classroom, tailoring instruction to better match students' skills, interests, and learning speeds. For example, a teacher might group students by their reading levels to provide targeted interventions for those who need more support while also challenging advanced readers with enrichment activities. This ability-focused method is dynamic and can change as students progress.

In contrast, tracking is typically a more rigid system where students are assigned to a particular educational path—often based on initial assessments— that can have long-lasting implications on their educational journey. Tracking can often lead to a permanent assignment in a particular level or pathway, making it challenging to change placements as students' abilities shift over time.

Thus, while both approaches group students by ability, ability grouping fosters flexibility and responsiveness to individual needs, making it an effective strategy in gifted education.