In the USA the closest thing we have to this are “gifted” labels (whatever that even means) and I still see adults experiencing existential crises over that; and other arguing about the use of said labels. I’m an outsider to that world, but from what I see; The label… doesn’t even have a systemic impact on anything??? and it seems to be a point of major stress and conflict still.
This is all to say labeling kids is always harmful; and making a “sort kids for life” system like in That transphobic writer’s fantasy school is definitely not a good policy for a nation ;-;
We do this in the US public education system; it’s called Tracking. Although it’s become a little less popular, much of the 20th century had three tracks, Vocational, General, and Academic. We still have the echoes of this system today with stuff like “Auto Academy” or “College Prep” in US highschools that offer students different classes based on what group they are in. Counselors and advisors tell students what kind of track they are suited for based upon test scores and teacher observations and will discourage students from classes they are “unsuited” for.
Maybe you saw this in your own schooling? A group of students who all had the same classes all day because they were in the “Finance Academy” or something? A friend whose advisor told them Pre-cal was a waste of time for them, despite being interested? It is systemic and points kids towards futures they may be unsatisfied with all because the economy could really use more programmers or pharmacists or whatever right now.
In the USA the closest thing we have to this are “gifted” labels (whatever that even means) and I still see adults experiencing existential crises over that; and other arguing about the use of said labels. I’m an outsider to that world, but from what I see; The label… doesn’t even have a systemic impact on anything??? and it seems to be a point of major stress and conflict still.
This is all to say labeling kids is always harmful; and making a “sort kids for life” system like in That transphobic writer’s fantasy school is definitely not a good policy for a nation ;-;
We do this in the US public education system; it’s called Tracking. Although it’s become a little less popular, much of the 20th century had three tracks, Vocational, General, and Academic. We still have the echoes of this system today with stuff like “Auto Academy” or “College Prep” in US highschools that offer students different classes based on what group they are in. Counselors and advisors tell students what kind of track they are suited for based upon test scores and teacher observations and will discourage students from classes they are “unsuited” for.
Maybe you saw this in your own schooling? A group of students who all had the same classes all day because they were in the “Finance Academy” or something? A friend whose advisor told them Pre-cal was a waste of time for them, despite being interested? It is systemic and points kids towards futures they may be unsatisfied with all because the economy could really use more programmers or pharmacists or whatever right now.