Which statement describes a drawback of homogeneous grouping?

• A. It eliminates all bias in instruction.
• B. It guarantees identical outcomes across groups.
• C. Labeled low-ability students may develop a negative self-concept that hinders learning.
• D. It ensures equal access to advanced resources.

Answer: (C)

Grouping students by ability can create labels that affect how students see themselves. When a student is placed in a low-ability group, that label can become a self-fulfilling prophecy: the student may start to believe they can’t do the work, lose motivation, and put in less effort, which actually hinders learning. This negative self-concept is a major drawback of homogeneous grouping because it undermines confidence and persistence, especially for students still developing their skills. The other ideas imply that grouping fixes bias, guarantees the same outcomes, or ensures equal access to advanced resources, which isn’t accurate. In reality, homogeneous grouping can limit exposure to peers who might push higher-level thinking and can restrict access to challenging material for students in lower groups.