No two students enter a classroom with identical abilities, experiences, and needs. Many factors including learning style, language proficiency, background knowledge, readiness to learn, and other factors can vary widely among students.
 
Differentiated instruction that allows teachers to take varied student factors into account when planning for teaching and learning in their classrooms. Teachers can structure learning environments that address the variety of learning styles, interests, and abilities found within a classroom.

Rather than providing a single avenue for learning for all students in a class, teachers match tasks, activities, and assessments with their students' interests, abilities, and learning preferences.