The+DIfferentiated+School

Discussion Questions For //The Differentiated School// by:  Carol Ann Tomlinson, Kay Brimijoin, and Lane Narvaez from the ASCD study guide

Follow this link to the complete ASCD study guide [| ASCD Study Guide]

__ **Chapter 1 - Discussion Questions** __ 1. Do educators in your school share a common definition, purpose, and understanding of differentiation? What misunderstandings about differentiation do you think exist in your school? 2. Look at the descriptors for the key attributes of the differentiation in Chapter 1. Discuss why each of the key attributes is a core requirement for a differentiated classroom. 3. Is respect for individuals an evident and shared value in your school? In the school as a whole? Among faculty members? In classrooms? Among students? 7. Is pre-assessment a standard practice in your school? Do most teachers use pre-assessments for student readiness, interest, and learning profile? How do teachers use what they learn from pre-assessment or ongoing assessment?

 1. In chapter 2, we discuss using distributed leadership for second- order change in school-wide differentiation. Which individuals and Groups will need to play a leadership role in your school? Which roles (e.g. principal, department chair, team leaders) will be the most critical as you move toward differentiation?
 * __Chapter 2 - Questions __**

5. We discuss key elements of the change process from several experts on pp. 26-27. Which of these principles is likely to pose a challenge in your school? What are the ways in which differentiation might be -and should be- modeled by leaders as your school begins moving toward differentiation? What characteristics should leaders model as the differentiation process continues?

6. Read the examples for vision and leadership at Conway and Colchester on pp. 34-39. How have these examples influenced your thinking about what is most important for school-wide differentiation?


 * __ Chapter 4 Questions __**

1. Why do you think experts say that efforts toward second-order change must address the needs of all students?

4. Is the curriculum in your school focused on understanding? Is it engaging to students? Is it relevant to the varied lives of students? Are the curriculum, student tasks, and student assessments aligned? What evidence do you offer for your answers?

3. Based on the snapshots in chapter 6, and 7, make a list of notes to leaders in your school (including yourself) that you want to remember as you move forward in leadership for school-wide differentiation.
 * __ Chapters 6 and 7 __**