Multiage Classes: What's in a Name?

Abstract

There are many books and articles published about mixed-grade classrooms. Rarely, however, is the specific type of mixed-grade class described in sufficient detail for a reader to form an accurate picture of the class. The literature is bedevilled by confusing terminology and reports of research carried out in one type of class being used to make claims about a different type of class. 'Multiage' and 'multi-grade' classes are both mixed-grade but they are not the same. Clarity in describing the different types of mixed-grade classes is important because what goes on inside different types of classroom is different. Multiage, 'developmentally appropriate' classes in particular would benefit if all mixed-grade classes had greater clarity of definition and description.