by Cindy Strickland
Differentiated instruction offers students and teachers responsive instruction—instruction that responds to students' needs. With increasing numbers of English language learners, an expanding achievement gap for minority students, more inclusive classrooms, and public pressure to adequately prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century, knowing who students are—and how best to teach them—has become a critical an issue for educators. And if students are to master content, building relationships is essential.