Ability grouping in army basic training

Abstract

"This study investigated the effectiveness of heterogeneous ability grouping as a method of increasing proficiency in Army Basic Combat Training. In each of two companies, low-ability trainees were trained under three conditions of ability grouping… . In spite of a system of competition that made privileges dependent on squad performance, a proficiency test given at the end of eight weeks of training failed to show a significant difference between the learning of low-ability men who had high aptitude men in their squads and those who did not. Achievement at all ability levels was unusually high, but low men who were trained in squads by themselves were just as proficient as low men who were trained in squads with higher ability men." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)