Should we differentiate curriculum or group by skill level?

Differentiated Curriculum

Differentiated curriculum, differentiated curriculum, differentiated curriculum is what teachers hear everyday. It’s the new mantra in education that the powers-that-be preach and it means meet your students where they are. Get down to their level and teach them up. Many schools don’t make it easy as they put students all across the board in the same classes but since teachers are used to a challenge they pull up their sleeves and do the best they can.

The problem is only teachers are expected to differentiate their curriculums in the current a one size fits all environment we find ourselves in.

Do you know what the difference in curriculum between the motivated student, who loves school and who has an I.Q of 130 and the unmotivated student, who doesn’t like school who has an I.Q. of 90 is? The answer, there is none.

Do you know what the difference in curriculum between the student who wants to be a brain surgeon, an artist and a mechanic is? The answer, there is none.

Do you know what the difference in curriculum is for the college bound students who plan to major in a liberal arts, science, business or math is? The answer there is none.

Do you know the difference in special diplomas between the special ed. student who after 12 years of school can’t spell their name or pick out colors and the special ed. student who just has a learning disability is? The answer there is none.

I believe all students should be able to read on grade level and have a similar proficiency in writing. I likewise believe all students should have a basic level of math say algebra I. Though I only took general math II as a junior and no math as a senior and went on to have multiple degrees. Then after that why don’t we differentiate our curriculum to service the needs and desires of as many students as we can?

We lump all students into one group and the city scratches it’s heads confused when some don’t make it. Then they nod their heads in agreement when the powers-that-be say it must be the fault of some children’s uninvolved parents or their teachers.

Maybe it’s time we differentiated our blame as well.