Should we “track” students according to ability or performance? In Fairfax County, there has been a lively debate over this question for at least 15 years. Jay Mathews, my favorite education reporter, has recorded varying parent and teacher opinions in his Washington Post articles. No one has a simple answer.

But Mathews and I concur with the school policy that fewer labels lead to more student opportunities. English used to have four tracks. Now there are only two: regular and honors. Dan Domenech, former Fairfax County superintendent, endorsed the policy when he recommended “a Gifted/Talented education for every child.” Students often blossom during the year and, although not meeting the classic “accelerated” criteria, have proven again and again that labeling classes stifles students’ growth.