Differentiation is the recognition of and commitment to plan for student differences.
A differentiated classroom provides different avenues to acquire content, to process or make sense of information and ideas, and to develop products. The goals of a differentiated classroom are to maximize student growth and to promote individual student success. Teachers target instruction at the readiness level of students and lead them to learn new ideas and gain greater understanding by building on a sound framework of knowledge. The students begin their learning experience at an appropriate level for them and chart their individual growth. Since differentiation assumes that students have different levels of knowledge and experience with different curricular goals, students may need to experience the curriculum from varying entry points.