Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Sept. 18, 2008). PDF text: ix, 175 p. ; 782 K. UMI publication number: AAT 3303507. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

This research aims to explore the attempted implementation of mixed ability grouping in junior high schools in Taiwan and the challenges generated by individuals and groups to this policy. The mixed-ability grouping policy in Taiwan has been disputed for nearly thirty years, but the disputes have never been examined from a wider perspective that considers the evolution of the policy and the contexts the policy process resides in. This study thus attempts to understand the process of the mixed-ability grouping policy from a contextualised, politicised, long-term perspective within which not only the ideological and practical debates, but the contexts that shape the conflicts over time, are taken into consideration. The study is grounded in an analytical framework that allows for the exploration of the politically-driven mainstream educational ideologies, the power relationships between policy actors, and the cyclical policy process. The research methods adopted consider the timeframe, the contexts, the multiple policy actors and the interactions among policy actors and between contexts and policy actors within the policy. Documentary analysis is adopted to trace the policy process, the conflicts within, and the political, cultural, economic and societal contexts of the policy from its inception to today whilst a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews are utilized to understand the attitudes and actions of educational authorities and school educators. Case studies are conducted in two junior high schools in order to learn about the dynamics, the conflicts, and the considerations of grouping practice within individual schools. The key findings of this thesis are as follows. First, the mixed-ability grouping policy in Taiwan has existed through two different political regimes, within which the different mainstream educational ideologies and power distribution among policy actors contribute to the distinctive policy process, interpretations of disputes and patterns of conflicts. Second, although the first-line educators recognise the advantages of mixed-ability grouping regarding discipline and resource distribution, their perceptions of pupils’ ability and teaching are in line with the assumptions of streaming, which contribute to educators’ conflicting attitudes and actions towards the mixed-ability grouping policy. Third, the senior high school entry system and the actions of parents and junior high schools together shape a hidden educational market within which the ‘disguised forms’ of streaming, such as the establishment of special classes, are valued by market players. The senior high school entry examination also profoundly influences educators who internalise the values embodied in the examination and perceive pupils’ ability and their own teaching mainly in terms of examination results.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.) -- Central Connecticut State University, 2010. / Title from electronic title page. Project advisor: Maria T. Mitchell. "A special project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in mathematics education." Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study is to determine and explain the problems faced by educators teaching learners experiencing learning problems in mixed ability classes. A qualitative research technique, which aimed at studying educators in their natural settings , was used. To achieve this aim the study was conceived as a case study of grade one educators from three Primary Schools at Mpophomeni Township. A self-designed interview schedule that was supplemented by observation schedule was used to collect data. The interview schedule included questions relating to mixed ability classes, learners with learning problems, outcomes based education, problems experienced by educators in their classroom practices and the ways of coping with such problems. School, educator and classroom resource profiles were also used in the study to gather information that might be useful in the discussion of the findings. The research sites were three Primary Schools at Mpophomeni Township. In these schools there were eleven grade one educators who formed the population from which a sample of six educators was randomly selected. Three of the six educators who formed the sample were interviewed and observed while the other three were only interviewed. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed for data analysis, which was done descriptively. The findings of the study revealed that educators had problems when they were dealing with the content, assignments, assessment and resources and when they discipline learners. It also revealed that most of the problems were due to the introduction of curriculum 2005 in grade one in 1998, and the fact that educators were not trained to teach learners experiencing learning barriers. The study concluded that insufficient in-service training and the introduction of curriculum 2005 were the main causes of educators' problems, and a call to recontextualise the learning environment, which includes educators and the context in which they teach, was made. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Thesis (M. S.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Science and Mathematics Education, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 19, 2009) Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Regis University, Denver, Colo., 2006. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Sept. 14, 2006). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Master of Education( Education))-- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / Multigrade classrooms face a lot of challenges because of their unique circumstances where more than one grade is combined in one classroom with one teacher. One of the problems is the lack of suited teaching and learning materials (TLM) for these classrooms. It includes the lack of computer-based TLM. Existing TLM that is developed for the use in monograde classroom cannot be used effectively in multigrade classrooms. TLM can provide a valuable contribution in these unique teaching and learning processes. An investigation was needed to determine the condition of die development, selection and use of TLM in these kind of schools. Only then can the solutions for the problems be investigated. During the investigation quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. During the first phase data was collected by a structured questionnaire where after and where of data were collected through standardized structured open-ended interviews and classroom observations in phase two and three. One of the main reasons for the problem is multigrade teacher‟s lack of knowledge and skills in die development, selection and use of TLM in the teaching and learning process. There is no criteria and requirements for the development and selection of TLM. Multigrade teachers do no realize the contribution TLM can provide in the process. The teaching strategies used in the multigrade classroom are very teacher-centered and it contributes to learners‟ lack of development in die teaching and learning process. It also contributes to the multigrade teacher‟s raise in work load and lack of time to do what they must do to ensure quality teaching and learning. There is big need for teacher training as well as in-service training of multigrade teachers that prepare teachers for the different aspects multigrade education. This training must not just include the development, selection and use of TLM, but also the five areas of multigrade teaching. Complete criteria and requirements for TLM in multigrade classroom must be composed by all the role players where after and where of TLM can be developed and selected effectively

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 73-79). Also available in print.

The debate on how students of different abilities should be organised and taught is probably as old as the introduction of formal schooling. It has generated a lot of debate in the past and continues to do so in the present millennium. This debate has invariably divided the world of educational research into two distinct camps. On one hand are proponents of ability grouping who claim that this grouping approach creates homogeneity which make it possible to tailor teaching to individual needs and thus raise achievement. On the other hand, are the exponents of mixed-ability grouping, who argue that ability grouping denies equality of educational opportunities to many young people, limiting their life chances and increasing social segregation. However, there is an emerging trend which posits that teachers should view students' mixed-abilities as an asset, which if properly exploited can result in effective instruction for the benefit of all students regardless of their many individual differences. This emanates from the realisation that there are different types of intelligences, and that it is not always possible for an individual student to posses all the types of intelligences. Therefore, students from diverse backgrounds, endowed with multiple intelligences, can help one another understand the content better as they will perceive the content from their diverse experiential backgrounds. This qualitative study concerned itself with investigating how mixed-ability grouping can be optimised for effective instruction at the junior secondary school level in Botswana. The study made use of literature study, focus groups, follow-up interviews and lesson observations. Major findings were that teachers are not optimising mixed-ability grouping for effective instruction. Instead, teachers have problems in teaching mixed-ability classes, with most of their teaching being teacher-centred. However, teachers can optimise mixed-ability grouping through the use of student-centred instructional strategies such as cooperative learning, small-group instruction, peer teaching and student research. Gifted students could be catered for through curriculum compaction, enrichment and extension work, while mentally challenged students could be offered remedial work. These cited teaching strategies are differential and they make use of the diverse abilities found in mixed-ability classes. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Didactics)