Survey on Implementation and Effectiveness of Ability Grouping in Eighth-Grade Math Classes in Taiwan

Hsin-Ying Huang ； Pei-Jung Hsieh

《International Journal of Intelligent Technologies and Applied Statistics》 12卷4期 (2019/12) Pp. 417-428

https://doi.org/10.6148/IJITAS.201912_12(4).0005

摘要

The purpose of this study is to investigate ability grouping in eighth-grade Math classes, including the conditions of implementing such instruction in Taiwan and its effectiveness. This study utilizes the Taiwan Assessment of Student Achievement (TASA) 2016 database to analyze the state of ability grouping in Taiwan. After eliminating data from unclear responses, this study analyzed data from a total of 8,805 students and 269 schools. The results of this study show that 15.82% of students received ability grouping mathematics instruction with groups separated according to ability; 37.62% of these were from schools using between-class grouping and 62.38% were from schools with ability grouping and within-class grouping. Among ability grouping for within-class grouping, 91.14% of students were in heterogeneous groups, while 8.86% were in homogenous groups. Mathematics performance did not vary significantly, regardless of whether ability grouping was implemented. Among students receiving ability grouping, for both within-class and between-class ability grouping, neither group of students exhibited significantly different mathematical ability. Furthermore, among students receiving within-class ability grouping, the mathematical abilities of students in homogenous groups were significantly better than those of students from heterogeneous groups.

關鍵字

ability grouping ； heterogeneous grouping ； homogenous grouping