What is a consequence of streaming for working-class students?

• A. It places working-class students in higher streams, boosting their grades
• B. There is no impact on self-esteem
• C. It can push working-class students into lower streams, limiting high-level exam opportunities
• D. It improves self-esteem for all students

Answer: (C)

Streaming sorts students into tracks based on perceived ability, a process that often intersects with social class. For working-class students, being placed in lower streams means access to fewer challenging courses and fewer opportunities to take high-level exams. Those exams are important gateways to higher education and advanced careers, so this placement can limit future options and reinforce inequality. Self-esteem effects can occur, but the most direct and consistent consequence described here is the restricted opportunity to pursue higher-level exams and progression. The other statements either imply a benefit or deny impact, which misaligns with how tracking tends to function in practice.