Differentiated Instruction

Education news, analysis, and opinion about techniques and adaptations to instruct students with diverse learning needs in the same classroom

Explainer

In this 2014 photo, 6th graders Willyum Oliver and Michael James (from left) discuss a math performance task during class at Whittemore Park Middle School in Conway, S.C.. The software students are using helps teachers at Whittemore Park differentiate instruction.
Differentiated Instruction: A Primer
Definitions vary for differentiated instruction, a popular approach for teaching children with a range of academic strengths and interests.
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Teaching Opinion Response: Differentiating Algebra Instruction
Wendy Jennings, Yvelyne Germain-McCarthy, Billy Bender, Derek Cabrera, and Ed Thomas contribute their thoughts on differentiated algebra instruction.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 26, 2016
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19 min read
Teaching Opinion How Do You Differentiate Algebra Instruction?
Stephanie asks: How do I differentiate Common core algebra for students who are more than 3 years below grade level and still expected to pass an Algebra regents (state test) to graduate from high school? My students receive one 45 minute math class a day and no resource room.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 24, 2016
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1 min read
Teaching Opinion Four Keys to Effective Classroom Learning Centers
When implemented well, learning centers empower students and accommodate their diverse needs as learners.
David Ginsburg, February 28, 2016
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3 min read
Teaching Opinion How to Teach Introverts
Finding the ideal environment--solitary or collaborative, active or passive--for each student's optimum performance, when you see them four and a half hours in a week, if there's no pep assembly? Not likely to happen. Not that teachers don't try. That's what bothers me most about these "if schools would only" articles: the assumption that teachers are blindly plowing ahead, happily adopting "fad" educational trends, heedless of the needs of individual students.
Nancy Flanagan, October 2, 2015
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3 min read
Education Opinion Q & A Collections: Differentiating Instruction
All my posts on differentiating instruction from the past four years - in one place!
Larry Ferlazzo, August 23, 2015
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1 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Poverty, Low-Tracking, and the Role of Differentiation
To the Editor:
I am in agreement with Carol Ann Tomlinson's reply to James R. Delisle on differentiated instruction ("Differentiation Doesn't Work," Jan. 7, 2015, and "To the Contrary: Differentiation Does Work," Jan. 28, 2015).
February 24, 2015
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1 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Clearly Defined Terms Needed in Differentiation Discussion
To the Editor:
Let's cease the differentiation discussion and take a step both backward and above the concept ("Differentiation Doesn't Work," Jan. 7, 2015, and "To the Contrary: Differentiation Does Work," Jan. 28, 2015)
February 24, 2015
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1 min read
School & District Management Voices and Research for and Against Differentiation
The debate over differentiating instruction just keeps going.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 9, 2015
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1 min read
Curriculum Does Differentiation Work? A Debate Over Instructional Practices
Differentiation, a teaching approach that focuses on different instructional needs for each student, has sparked a heated debate in the education community.
Ross Brenneman, February 6, 2015
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1 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Differentiation Is Another Name for Good Teaching Practice
To the Editor:
In his Jan. 7, 2015, Commentary on differentiated instruction ("Differentiation Doesn't Work"), James R. Delisle makes a number of baffling claims in his facile dismissal of the practice, which he does not attempt to define and seems to confuse with the separate issue of ability grouping. I am wholly unconvinced by the piece.
February 3, 2015
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1 min read
Teaching Opinion Response: Differentiation Lets Us Reach Our Students 'Where They Are'
Today's suggestions of effective differentiation strategies come from Katherine S. McKnight, Jessica Hockett, Christie Amburn, Elise Yerkey and Barbara Blackburn. I've also included readers' comments.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 2, 2015
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11 min read
Teaching Opinion Response: Differentiation Is Important 'Because We Teach Students Not Standards'
Three well-known educators/authors provide guest responses offering effective ways to differentiate instruction: Regie Routman, Carol Ann Tomlinson, and Laura Robb.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 30, 2015
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15 min read
Teaching Opinion What Are The Best Ways To Differentiate Instruction?
This week's question comes from an educator who wishes to remain anonymous: Differentiating for students, as I understand it, entails meeting students at their levels, but the end goal is to ensure that they meet the standards for the grade level. What happens when, for whatever reason, you have one or more students who are reading several grade levels below and even the lowest level expectation for that child/ren will still not enable the student/s to meet the standard for the grade level?
Larry Ferlazzo, January 28, 2015
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1 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Delisle: Comments Underscore Differentiation's Failings
To the Editor:
When I wrote my Commentary "Differentiation Doesn't Work" (Jan. 7, 2015), I anticipated that it would generate some discussion. Indeed, it has. In reading the comments made directly to Education Week on edweek.org, as well as the dozens of emails I have received from readers in several countries, I can conclude only one thing: Differentiation works … unless it doesn't.
January 28, 2015
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1 min read
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