To speak only on the
notion of applying labels, the trick seems to be finding a way to offer praise and distinction
without also categorizing or creating perceived divisions. We want to communicate status,
recognize abilities, etc., but we don't want to isolate individuals or marginalize
people.
This is not only an educational issue, but a social one. As mentioned
already, this issue is centrally a political correctness issue, however, the problematic nature
of the issue is psychological. The perceptions that are interpreted to have political content
actually, first and foremost, have a psychological content.
I think the
first question is: How do people respond to labelling, positive or negative?
The next questions then deal with how to weigh the problems of labelling against the
benefits of tracking in education and the political (large scale social) ramifications of
creating policies that actively use labelling.
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