Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (1): 64-76+162.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2018.01.008

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Principles of Student Placement in Elementary School: Beyond Teaching in Accordance with Learners' Aptitude

LU Xiaodong1,2   

  1. Institute of Economics of Education, Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • Online:2018-02-20 Published:2018-01-12

Abstract: Teaching students in accordance with their aptitude is a classical education principle in China. Despite its advantages, there exist such problems as studentstereotypes by their teachers or classmates over the 6-year fixed placement in the same elementary school. Therefore, it's necessary to break up the fixed placement of students beyond the principle of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude. This may introduce new values in schools from eight aspects. First, the entrance examination and interview for kindergarten children to enter the elementary school would be useless and harmful. Second, the Chinese metaphor of Never lose at the starting line could be semantically and practically dispelled. Third, there would be little chance for teachers to label certain students underachievers. Fourth,more authentic, frequent changes could take place in primaryschools, which could enable students to learn in a changing world. Fifth, it is possible for students to get out of the small fixed circle of friends into a large circle of friends in schools.Sixth, teaching resources could be allocated more impartially. Seventh, breaking up the fixed placement of students could liberate the students, who would otherwise be the hostage of their teachers. Finally,parents would have no intention of class choice on their children's behalf.

Key words: class choice, teacher-student relationship, underachiever, starting line, a class tutor