Which statement best describes differentiation in teaching?

• A. Identify what students should know and be able to do
• B. Adjust teaching to meet individual learning needs
• C. Focus only on memorization
• D. Grade on effort alone

Answer: (B)

Differentiation means adjusting teaching to meet individual learning needs. It recognizes that students differ in readiness, interests, and learning profiles, so a teacher adapts what is taught, how it’s taught, how students show their understanding, and the learning environment to help everyone access the material. For example, a teacher might offer texts at different reading levels, let students choose how to demonstrate understanding (written, verbal, or visual), and use flexible grouping to support varied paces. This stands in contrast to simply identifying what students should know (which is about objectives) or focusing only on memorization or effort, which don’t address tailoring instruction to diverse learners.