Professional+Development+Book+Discussion

__ Fair Isn’t Always Equal __ by Rick Wormeli // Discussion Questions – October 18 //

Chapter One

 1. Does your definition of differentiated instruction, DI, differ from the authors? What are some examples of its use in your classroom?

 2. Is DI consistent with the culture of accountability and standardized testing?

 3. Read the quote in the middle of page 8. What percentage makes sense for honors? for CP? If there are too many failures in a class, what are some ways to break the cycle of failure?

Chapter Two

 4. Give an example of an acceptable test question that does not require mastery and one that does.

 5. Should there be a minimum percentage of items on tests that deal with mastery? What other ways can students demonstrate mastery in your course for substantive grade?

 6. What would you consider essential and enduring knowledge for your subject?

Chapter Three

 7. Do you think assessments of student understanding should be based on instruction? Should instruction be based on the assessments?

 8. Consider the Summary and Further Thinking section beginning on page 38. What do you feel are the three most important points concerning successful assessment in the differentiated classroom?

Chapter Four

 9. What strategies have you successfully used to have students self assess or create portfolios?

Chapter Five

 10. Describe how you could tier a particular topic on a test.

 11. Are tiered assessments fair to all students?