How is differentiated instruction best defined?

Differentiated instruction is best defined as a tailored approach to meet varying student needs. This means that educators assess the individual learning styles, interests, and abilities of their students and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. The goal is to maximize each student's growth and success by providing appropriate levels of challenge and support.

This method acknowledges that students have diverse backgrounds and varied levels of understanding, and therefore, a uniform teaching strategy may not be effective for every learner. By differentiating instruction, teachers can ensure that all students, regardless of their starting point, have the opportunity to engage with the material in a way that resonates with them and supports their learning journey.

Other approaches, such as a one-size-fits-all strategy, do not consider the unique needs of individual students and can lead to disengagement and lack of progress. Additionally, excluding special needs students would contradict the principles of differentiated instruction, which embraces inclusivity and aims to provide equitable access to learning for all.