Ability grouping

It differs from tracking by being less pervasive, involving much smaller groups, and by being more flexible and informal.

[1] Assignment to an ability group is often short-term (never lasting longer than one school year), and varies by subject.

For the next lesson, the teacher may revert to whole-class, mixed-ability instruction, or may assign students to different groups.

Among younger students, a tracked school may teach the same underlying subjects, such as reading and mathematics, in different styles, speeds, or depth.

For example, a student in a "university" track is usually not permitted to study blue-collar vocational skills like welding.

Three young boys sit at a table with their teacher. The teacher points to the words that one boy is reading in his textbook.
Ability grouping is often used while teaching basic reading skills.