DfES study fails to give full support to setting by ability.

The article reports on a study funded by the British Department for Education and Skills. The study concluded that setting pupils by ability, one of the most widely-trailed parts of the white paper released by the government, has few benefits. There is no evidence that streamed or set classes produce, on average, higher performance than mixed-ability classes, said the report. It also found that setting pupils is already widespread, particularly in mathematics. The white paper calls for more grouping and setting of students by ability and says grouping students can help to build motivation, social skills and independence and most importantly can raise standards because pupils are better engaged in their own learning.