What distinguishes flexible grouping from fixed ability grouping?

• A. Groups are based on age.
• B. Students move between groupings based on course content.
• C. Groups are fixed for the year.
• D. Grouping is based only on interest.

Answer: (B)

Flexible grouping changes who is in each group as students’ understanding of the material changes. The key idea is that students can move between groups based on their current mastery of course content, so instructional groups are adjusted to match readiness and learning needs.

This is what sets it apart from fixed ability grouping: students are placed into groups according to ability and stay in those groups for a defined period, regardless of what they’ve learned or how they progress.

Grouping by age isn’t about how learners are moved based on content, and grouping by interest isn’t about ability or mastery either.