Differentiated Instruction

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

Explainer

Differentiated Instruction: A Primer
Definitions vary for differentiated instruction, a popular approach for teaching children with a range of academic strengths and interests.
Elementary age boy using computer.
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Classroom Technology Q&A This School Leader Believes AI Could Transform Education for Students With Dyslexia
AI could revolutionize how people with dyslexia navigate K-12 schools, said a school leader who works with children with the condition.
Alyson Klein, November 22, 2023
3 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion What Does Successful Differentiated Instruction Look Like in the Classroom?
Many teachers struggle to adapt lessons, believing they lack resources, planning time, and classroom-management support. They don't need to.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 16, 2023
16 min read
Photo of a smiling male teacher giving a high-five to his smiling elementary school student who is seated at a classroom desk in a row with other students.
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Special Education Educators Share Advice on Supporting Students With Learning Differences
Students with learning differences benefit from flexibility, inclusivity, and clear communication, educators said.
Hayley Hardison & Evie Blad, September 26, 2023
3 min read
Two elementary age school children leaning in to read a book. Young blonde Caucasian girl is wearing a pink top and young Asian brunette girl is wearing a blue button-up blouse.
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Reading & Literacy Download An Evidence-Based Approach to Classroom Reading Groups
Leveled reading groups aren't the most effective way to support student needs—but that doesn't mean avoiding grouping altogether.
Sarah Schwartz & Laura Baker, August 24, 2023
1 min read
Point Roberts Elementary School teacher Jessie Hettinga works with a group of first, second and third graders on reading at the school in Point Roberts, Wa., on Sept. 28, 2017.
Point Roberts Elementary School teacher Jessie Hettinga works with a group of first, second, and third graders on reading at the school in Point Roberts, Wash., on Sept. 28, 2017.
Philip A. Dwyer/The Bellingham Herald via AP
Reading & Literacy Classroom Reading Groups: What Works and What Doesn't
Studies show that leveled reading groups don't support struggling students. So what should grouping look like in the reading classroom?
Sarah Schwartz, August 15, 2023
10 min read
Week 1  Intro to Learning Acceleration 600x300, email image
Adam Niklewicz for Education Week
Teaching What the Research Says Learning Acceleration: A Resource Guide
See more than two dozen resources on accelerating students' learning from Education Week's new mini-course on that topic.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 2, 2023
2 min read
Teaching Spotlight Spotlight on Differentiated Learning
This Spotlight will help you evaluate differentiated instruction methods, create equitable gifted and talented programs, and more.
May 1, 2023
Teaching Opinion Differentiated Instruction Doesn't Need to Be a Heavy Lift
Sometimes adapting instruction is just about making decisions in the moment to reach all students, regardless of their gifts or challenges.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 22, 2022
3 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Q&A Collections: Differentiating Instruction
Posts and videos from the past 10 years offering practical suggestions on differentiating instruction.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 3, 2021
4 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Four Favorite Physical Education Instructional Strategies—Recommended by Teachers!
Differentiated instruction is among the favorite strategies three educators employ in teaching physical education.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 24, 2021
9 min read
Education Opinion Q&A Collections: Differentiating Instruction
All Classroom Q&A posts on Differentiating Instruction (from the past nine years!) are described and linked to in this compilation post.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 1, 2020
4 min read
Teaching Opinion Five Ways to Differentiate Instruction in an Online Environment
Examples from two educators include giving students the time to take physical breaks as well as pausing academic presentations to give students time to think.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 4, 2020
6 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Robert Nuebecker for Education Week
Teaching Opinion What Differentiated Instruction Is Not: A Teacher's Perspective
Taking differentiation to mean "everything all the time" isn’t a sustainable model, warns English teacher Chad Towarnicki.
Chad Towarnicki, November 22, 2019
4 min read
Education Opinion Q&A Collections: Differentiating Instruction
All Classroom Q&A posts offering advice on Differentiating Instruction (from the past eight years!) are described and linked to in this compilation post.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 22, 2019
3 min read