Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Groups

Context

Different parts of a student’s day involve homogeneous and heterogeneous skill groups across grade levels. Lots of thought is put into which types of groups make the most sense for each type of instruction. 

• Self-directed learning is completely heterogeneous where students of all skill levels work next to each other, or with each other, providing peer support and modeling for assignments. 
• Small group instruction is homogeneous, allowing teachers to provide targeted instruction for a specific learning need. 
• Large group instruction is considered “bounded heterogeneity” as the groups are leveled, on average, but there is overlap between the groups, allowing for a diversity of perspective without creating too wide of a range for the teacher to meet students’ needs.