Rethinking Assessments: Differentiation That Works

Differentiating instruction is essential, yet it often feels overwhelming—especially when teachers are already balancing limited planning time, competing demands, and diverse learner needs. This session provides a practical and streamlined approach to utilizing standardized assessment data to enhance differentiation, making it more effective and sustainable.

We will examine how standardized assessment data can be unpacked at the standards level to guide targeted instructional adjustments, inform curriculum focus, and identify when individualized supports or extensions are most beneficial. Participants will also explore how to “zoom in and zoom out” on data—balancing detailed insights with broader trends—to make instructional decisions that are both strategic and manageable.

Importantly, the session will demonstrate how assessment data gains power when considered alongside other information teachers may already collect, including formative checks, classroom observations, and student well-being indicators. You will learn how to integrate these data sources into planning routines in ways that reduce guesswork rather than add complexity.

By the end of the webinar, attendees will leave with actionable strategies for using data to support differentiation that is meaningful, realistic, and sustainable within existing instructional time.