Tales from the Pond

This book presents an alternative interpretation of apractice that tends to attract a great deal ofnegative press - that of ability grouping. Oftenviewed as elitist and a means of reinforcing thestatus quo in unequal societies the educationalpractice of grouping on the basis of ability hasengendered distrust in egalitarian Australia for manyyears. This study challenges this notion throughexamination of a disadvantaged rural secondaryschool's attempt to create a learning environmentthat is appropriate for highly able students whilenot disadvantaging mainstream students not involvedin the program. The metaphor of a pond is woventhrough the study representing Marsh's Big FishLittle Pond Effect which is critiqued. Through amixed methodological approach the views of studentsin both the grouped and mainstream settings wereexamined to determine their levels of satisfactionwith their educational experience. The study foundthat although the ability based setting provided asuitably nurturing environment for the able studentsit was not viewed as desirable by mainstreamnonmembers suggesting that appropriate provision mayrequire different educational responses.