What socio-economic and cultural factors play into tracking?

Tracking is based on the assumptions that 1. It is easier to teach a group of students who have similar abilities; 2. Students learn better when they are grouped with those who learn at the same rate – the brighter students are not held back by the slower learners, and the slower learners receive the extra time and special attention needed to correct academic deficiencies; 3. Slow learners develop more positive attitudes when they do not have to compete with the more academically capable. Research, however, suggests that tracking has a positive effect on high-track students, negative effects on low-tracked students, and no significant effects on middle-track students. Overall, tracking often has a profound effect on students’ placement, treatment, self-image and achievement. In your post, please explore the practice of tracking in our educational system using some specific examples. Do you think tracking is a reasonable way to organize instruction? Do you think all students should be exposed to the same curriculum and teaching methods regardless of ability? What socio-economic and cultural factors play into tracking?