Streaming - GCSE Sociology Definition

In GCSE Sociology, 'streaming' refers to the practice of grouping students in a school based on their perceived ability or achievement level. This means that students are put into different classes, or 'streams', where each group might learn at a different pace or level of difficulty, depending on their abilities. The idea is that students can learn more effectively if they are with classmates of similar skill levels. However, some people argue that streaming can lead to inequality, as it could label some students unfairly and limit their opportunities. Streaming is an important concept because it helps us understand how the education system tries to manage different student needs but also the potential impact on student self-esteem.