And last year, Lincoln Middle School has four tracks in math and three in the other subjects. Last January, Tyler Page was named principal. Page is exploring the notion of converting to entirely heterogeneous classes, which is why he invited Newport's Borgueta to visit last fall. Last October, reacting to the fact that East Providence's elementary school students had scored well on the Metroplitan Achievement Test while the junior high students had not, recently appointed Supt. Students are indeed tracked at the junior high school level, although Martin Junior High School principal John Rezendes prefers the term ability grouping.
Children are in the same ability group in every subject.
Detracking is a curriculum issue, a political issue. I think it brings the kids who are struggling into contact with kids who could help them, could serve as role models. The school has had numerous discussions about the pros and cons of converting to the middle school model, which would include detracking. Detracking, he says, won't happen overnight, primarily because he wants to avoid overwhelming youngsters who lack basic skills precisely because they have been tracked.