Grupos de Proficiência Aplicada: entre o heterogéneo e o homogéneo. Uma nova organização das aprendizagens em sala de aula.

The advantages and disadvantages of having homogeneous learning groups at school has been a debating issue for a long time. The Ability Grouping, as the process of grouping students under criteria that aim homogeneity is known, has originated many studies in different countries, mainly in the United States of America. In Portugal, however, there is a silence over this theme. We wanted to discuss it and test its applicability. Therefore, after having determined a theoretical investigation path over the problem, we present the implementation of our project of Proficiency Classes (a method within the Ability Grouping) of Mathematics and Portuguese language. We have shown how we constituted the learning groups, how the migrations between groups have worked throughout the school year and we have analyzed the results by comparing them with those of previous years and with a group of control. Our main thesis is that the homogeneity of learning groups enhances the abilities to acquire meaningful knowledge as well as it develops students’ skills. This allows better chances of equality in the access to knowledge (both for those who want to proceed to higher studies and for the global development- cognitive, emotional and social- of each student) and, accordingly, to a better social integration.