Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
The subject of grouping school students based on their ability in academic subjects such as English and math is widely debated. Recent studies have shown that for children who have a record of low attainment at school previously, being taught in mixed ability groups can help them to progress better with their schoolwork. This initial study aims to find out whether teaching English and mathematics in in mixed attainment groups has an impact on attainment and self-confidence in these subjects. The study is also designed to test whether a larger trial testing this aim would be feasible.
Who can participate?
Secondary schools which currently (or are willing to) practice mixed ability grouping for English and/or math in years 7 and 8.
What does the study involve?
Included schools are randomly allocated into two groups. English and mathematics teachers at the schools included in the first group (intervention group) attend six intensive workshops as well as additional coaching in the school, in order to support teachers to support pupils and teach more effectively. Schools allocated to the second group (control group) continue with their student grouping practices as normal. After two years, pupils from all schools will take English and mathematics tests to find out if their level of attainment has changed compared to at the start of the study.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits of participating, however students may benefit in the long run as this research will increase knowledge on education policies in England. There are no foreseeable risks of participating.
Where is the study run from?
National Foundation for Educational Research, Slough (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2015 to November 2017
Who is funding the study?
Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Ben Styles
b.styles@nfer.ac.uk
Trial website
http://www.nfer.ac.uk/research/projects/evaluation-of-best-practice-in-grouping-students.cfm
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Ben Styles
ORCID ID
Contact details
National Foundation for Educational Research
The Mere
Upton Park
Slough
SL12DQ
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1753 637386
b.styles@nfer.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Pilot randomised controlled trial to explore the use of mixed attainment grouping of year 7 and 8 students within English and mathematics
Acronym
BPMA
Study hypothesis
The primary research questions are:
1. Can secondary schools be recruited to a mixed attainment RCT?
2. What are the barriers to schools adopting a mixed attainment approach?
In addition, students will be tested to ensure that mixed attainment grouping does not result in a significant drop in attainment in mathematics and/or English. Pupil surveys will also be administered to measure self-confidence in mathematics and English.
Ethics approval
National Foundation for Educational Research Code of Practice Committee, 05/03/2015
Study design
Multi-centre pilot cluster randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Cluster randomised trial
Trial setting
Schools
Trial type
Quality of life
Patient information sheet
http://www.nfer.ac.uk/schools/taking-part-in-our-research/eefk---mixed-attainment-initiative.cfm
Condition
Attainment in Math and English in schools
Intervention
This pilot trial will include two experimental groups: 20 Secondary schools will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups. For all schools, key stage 2 results will be used as baseline test data and GL assessment’s English and mathematics tests will be used as follow-up tests at the end of year 8, where a random sample of 60 pupils will be selected from each school.
Intervention group: The application of the intervention will involve presentation and application of the key pedagogic principles such as principles to be applied in grouping pupils and principles to be applied across groups. This will be facilitated by at least six intensive workshops attended by each key teacher in the pilot study, with additional coaching/critical friend support in school. These workshops will outline and justify the principles to be applied; and provide time, space and guidance for Year 7 mathematics and English teachers to design appropriate grouping approaches, support to pupils, and curriculum, for application of the principles in their own school context.
Control group: Schools from this group will continue with their student grouping practices as usual. Once they have completed the year 8 tests at the end of the trial, they will receive £1,000.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
While this is not a fully powered trial, testing will take place in year 8 after two years of the intervention to ensure that mixed attainment grouping does not result in a significant drop in attainment in mathematics and/or English. A random sample of 60 pupils from year 8 will sit these tests in summer 2017. Their key stage 2 test results from academic year 2014-15 will be used to measure attainment at baseline.
Secondary outcome measures
Secondary outcome measures for this study are pupils’ self confidence in English and mathematics. These will be measured using a pupil survey at the start of year 7 in September 2015 and at the end of year 8 in summer 2017.
Overall trial start date
12/03/2015
Overall trial end date
30/11/2017
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. State secondary schools in England that currently practice mixed attainment grouping
2. State secondary schools in England willing to change their practice to mixed attainment grouping for English and/or maths in years 7 and 8
Participant type
Other
Age group
Other
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
wenty Secondary schools will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups. The grouping practices will be applied to Year7 with an average cohort size of 180 pupils per school making it a total of 3,600 pupils involved in the study.
Participant exclusion criteria
Participants not fulfilling inclusion criteria.
Recruitment start date
26/03/2015
Recruitment end date
12/06/2015
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
National Foundation for Educational Research
The Mere
Upton Park
Slough
SL1 2DQ
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)
Sponsor details
9th Floor
Millbank Tower
21 – 24 Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 802 1676
info@eefoundation.org.uk
Sponsor type
Government
Website
Funders
Funder type
Charity
Funder name
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Education Endowment Foundation will publish a report on the results of the study.
Intention to publish date
30/11/2017
Participant level data
Stored in repository
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary