What is meant by a differentiated curriculum?

A differentiated curriculum is designed to be responsive to the unique needs, strengths, and interests of individual students. This approach acknowledges that learners come with varying backgrounds, abilities, and learning preferences, and thus it tailors educational practices to provide each student with the appropriate level of challenge and support.

The key aspect of differentiation is its focus on adjusting the content, process, products, or learning environment to accommodate students' diverse learning needs. For instance, a teacher may provide different resources, modify assignments, or use varied instructional strategies to ensure that all students are engaged and able to grasp the material at their level of understanding.

In contrast, a one-size-fits-all approach fails to take into account individual student differences, which may lead to disengagement and a lack of progress for some learners. A curriculum specifically designed for gifted students, while valuable, does not address the broader spectrum of needs within a diverse classroom. Additionally, a standard educational framework for all learners ignores the requirement for modification and personalization that is often crucial for effective teaching and learning in special education contexts.