Streaming and setting
Streaming groups students of similar ability across all subjects; setting groups students by ability within individual subjects. Both practices aim to improve teaching efficiency but can reinforce inequality.
Real World
Research by Ball (1981) at Beachside Comprehensive showed that after the school abolished streaming, the gap in behaviour and achievement between higher- and lower-ability students narrowed significantly.
Exam Focus
Distinguish streaming (fixed across all subjects) from setting (subject-by-subject) — examiners reward precise terminology.
How well did you know this?