Thomas transfers to a new school when his family moves to a new district,and he is placed in a classroom with students who have slightly higher average math grades than he does.Based on the research,what is the most likely outcome? Thomas will:
A) fall behind and should be moved into a classroom where he has the highest scores.
B) succeed and make academic gains when he is in the classes with other high achievers.
C) become frustrated and decide to leave school before completing his degree.
D) make stronger academic gains if he is tracked into a class with lower-achieving students.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to research on the "Matthew Effect" in educational settings, students who are placed in classrooms with higher-achieving peers tend to make greater academic gains than those placed in lower-achieving classrooms. This is because high-achieving peers can provide positive social comparisons, challenging academic work, and a supportive environment. Therefore, it is likely that Thomas will succeed and make academic gains when placed in a classroom with higher-achieving students. Option A is not the best choice as being in a classroom with the highest scores does not necessarily mean that Thomas will perform well, and this may not be beneficial for his self-esteem. Option C is not supported by evidence, and option D is not likely to be the best choice as it may limit Thomas's potential for academic growth.

Thomas Transfers to a New School When His Family Moves