“Well, they’re divided by grade also,” Mrs. Doeton says.
“Yes, but I mean within a grade,” Jack says, refusing to shift his gaze away from Millie.
“’Tracking’ is what you’re talking about. Right, Mill? ‘Tracking’ is what its called,” I hear myself say, knowing even before the glare she throws at me that I am striking the match that will ignite the conflagration.
“The term ‘tracking’ has a pejorative connotation,” she says coolly, almost in a growl. “It sounds like you’re dividing cattle by size and sex.”
“Okay, so let’s call it something else,” Jack says. “Whatever you like.”
“I’ve heard it called ‘achievement classification,’” Millie says.
“Fine,” Jack says quickly. “Then we’ll call it ‘achievement classification.’ And you determine a student’s achievement classification by his ‘aca
