Teacher E

Teaches various levels of science

When I went to college, not sure our generation even heard of the phrase,
differentiated instruction! Therefore, I have to say I was not trained in this
concept when I was in college. Even though lots of lip service has been
paid to differentiated instruction (DI), I have received very little professional
development in Knox County in-service activities.
I do try to use DI in my classes, by offering struggling students extra time,
using notes for assessments, and in some cases, having them just tell me
things, instead of writing formal answers.
Theoretically, DI should look different in AP vs CP classes, because as the
name implies, DI needs to be tailored to the student audience. I would think
CP classrooms call for more frequent use of DI. CP students may need more
one-on-one mentoring/instruction, more time to digest complex topics,
quizzes/tests on smaller amounts of material compared to AP students.
No, I am not much for arranging students in general, and I have never group
students based on abilities.
I have occasionally assigned different work for different students. You are a
prime example of doing special things for special students. I nominated you
for a program I knew you would be interested in (FAC) and sent you a url link
to a site containing all kinds of dissections and surgeries, because I knew you
would be interested in those topics, too. My specific actions with you may not
fall into the category of DI, but rather represent the desire to adequately
inspire your learning experience.
I definitely feel smaller class sizes would benefit learning and perhaps
alleviate the need to even seek out DI. I believe there is plenty of data to
support smaller class sizes, but it all comes down to the almighty dollar!
Yes, we are expected to use DI on a regular basis, but no the State EOCs are
NOT differentiated at all. Honor level students take the same tests as the CP,
ELL and other special needs students. They are actually a joke as far as a
measurement tool, since the scores are so artificially massaged to make the
counties and the State look successful.