Allowing selection within mixed-ability schools is what used to be called a cop-out, and is now known as the third way.

ECONOMIST: Education

Banding involves an admissions test, with results divided into ability bands - the school then accepts a percentage of pupils from each band, resulting in a mixed-ability intake.

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Hamburg, for example, which is governed by an unusual coalition between the CDU and the Greens, plans to extend the number of years children study together in mixed-ability primary schools from four years to six.

ECONOMIST: Germany's election

Indeed, he has upset many conservatives in Schleswig-Holstein, by opposing their campaign to curb immigration, by backing the retention of mixed-ability secondary schools, and by arguing that drug addicts should be treated as sick people rather than as criminals.

ECONOMIST: Germany

Both groups reported wanting to live in more urban, mixed use, mixed age areas that offer services, community and walk-ability.

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