This paper presents results from a 3-year longitudinal case study of 10 racially and socioeconomically mixed secondary schools participating in detracking reform. It explores how broadly held conceptions of intelligence intervene in efforts to detrack schools and examines new constructions of intelligence and how they fit into school detracking.…

Responds to Maureen Hallinan's review of research and recommendations regarding grouping students for instructional purposes. Contends that ability grouping is much more than an administrative practice. Concludes that the school's normative, social, and political climate should be the object of reform. (CFR)

Argues that tracking students for instruction is usually neither equitable nor effective. Reviews what has been learned about tracking, considers impacts of these findings, and suggests new research to target needs of reformers more directly. Understanding and changing the norms and policies that buttress tracking is essential to reform. (SLD)