The Shakerite VOL 91 ISSUE I

Alona Miller
ty more than it benefits learning. For example,
one study of Grayton High School found students
placed into lower tracks had lower IQ scores in
high school. Another study showed classrooms
comprising students of mixed abilities performed
just as well as, if not better than, tracked classes.
The NAEP review also cited work of social
scientist Jeannie Oakes, who found that tracking
“can reduce self-esteem, lower aspirations, and
foster negative attitudes toward school. Some
studies have also concluded that tracking leads
low-track students to misbehave and eventually
to drop out altogether.”
At the high school, Principal Eric Juli said
enacting the district’s decision means consolidating
classes. “Consolidated courses is taking two
courses and making them one,” he said.
For example, Honors Biology and Core Biology
have been consolidated as Biology, which is to
be taught to all sophomores using the honors curriculum.
Juli said no matter what the goal of tracking
is, the practice creates an educational divide. “It’s
our belief as a district, that whatever the intentions
were to have tracked classes, the result has
not been what is best for Black students. It has
evolved into the best example of systemic racism
in Shaker,” Juli said in a Google Meet interview.
“We have to start preparing all of our students for
the world they are going to enter. We need to make
sure that every student is receiving an honors curriculum.”
Teachers said they were passionate about creating
a more successful and inclusive environment
through detracked and consolidated courses, but
it’s not without challenges, especially in a virtual
learning setting.
Kimberly Ponce de Leon, World Language
Department chairwoman at the high school, said
teachers will always give 100 percent effort toward
their students. “As long as supports are given and
teacher training is at the forefront, I believe detracking
will have huge benefits for our students,”
she said.
Sharon Craig, an English teacher who has
taught core and honors level sections, said adjust-
Spring 2021 THE SHAKERITE 23