DAP 6: Differentiated Instruction

Overview

Differentiated instruction occurs in individualized learning environments and experiences to meet children’s specific strengths, needs, and backgrounds. This process for individualizing instruction benefits all children but is particularly meaningful for children with special needs, health care needs or English learners. Differentiated instruction meets each child’s needs as determined by observation, assessment, family input, and knowledge of the child; the result is a classroom where each child is given a pathway to reach their full potential.

Requirement

Level 5:

There is evidence of:

  • Differentiated instruction, including for children with disabilities, children with special health care needs, and English learners;
  • Use of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for individualized planning for students with disabilities (if applicable); and
  • Teacher collaboration with other staff to meet the individual needs of children.

Documentation to upload: 

  • A recent lesson plan (used and dated within the past six months)
  • A statement of teacher collaboration

Instructions

  • Identify a recent lesson plan used and dated within the past six months.
  • Circle and label examples of differentiated instruction for each child. For example, planning experiences based on individual children’s interests, background, and strengths/needs.
  • Circle and label examples that include children with disabilities, special health care needs, and English learners.
  • If information from an IFSP or IEP has been provided, circle and label evidence of how that information was used to inform the lesson plan. Remove any child’s name included in the lesson plan. Do not upload IFSP/IEP forms.
  • Add a comment noting whether or not the program has been provided with an IFSP or IEP (or information from one) for any enrolled child.
  • If information from IFSP/IEPs has not been provided, documentation does not have to demonstrate that they inform activities.
  • Compose a statement describing how teachers collaborate with other staff to differentiate instruction to meet children’s individual needs.

Build a Statement

Develop a statement describing teacher collaboration to support differentiated instruction in the program. The Reflection Questions below will help you consider how and when collaboration occurs in the program. Upon reflection, you are ready to build your statement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How and when do teachers collaborate to develop lesson plans with differentiated instruction?
  2. How is the information from an IFSP and/or IEP shared with teachers and staff?
  3. How is the information from an IFSP and/or IEP used for individualized planning?

After reflecting, you have the option to download, save, and use the Differentiated Instruction template to create the required statement.

If you need more support writing the statement, use the Differentiated Instruction Writer’s Tips and Prompts to find examples and for additional guidance.

Next Steps

  • Review the lesson plan and statement to confirm they meet the requirements.
  • Log into the Maryland EXCELS System to upload the lesson plan dated and used within six months and the Collaboration Statement.
  • Add a comment noting whether or not the program received an IFSP or IEP for any child enrolled.
  • Submit for review.

Additional Resources