An Analysis of Elementary School Teachers' Knowledge and Use of Differentiated Instruction

Abstract

School districts today are being held accountable for providing all students with a quality education in order for students to meet mandated learning standards as well as become productive citizens; thus teachers need to be more responsive to their students’ needs. This study investigated teachers’ knowledge about differentiated instruction; how often teacher differentiate instruction in specific subject areas; and factors that help or hinder the implementation of differentiated instruction. Study results demonstrated that the majority of the teachers surveyed are familiar with differentiated instruction; however, because of their unfamiliarity of available tools, the immense amount of preparation time involved coupled with lack of resources, many teachers do not differentiate instruction in their classrooms.