What is an effective practice to help students with diverse learning needs during reading instruction?

Offering individualized support tailored to students' specific challenges is an effective practice during reading instruction, particularly for those with diverse learning needs. This approach acknowledges that each student may have different strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences. By providing personalized support, such as targeted interventions, differentiated instruction, or accommodations, educators can address the unique difficulties that each student faces in reading.

Individualized support allows teachers to focus on specific skills that need development, whether that involves phonemic awareness, comprehension strategies, fluency, or engagement with texts. This method fosters a more inclusive classroom environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed and progress according to their own capabilities.

Grouping based on reading level may be useful in some contexts, but it can inadvertently pigeonhole students or underestimate their potential if they are not pushed appropriately. Standardizing assessments for all students might overlook individual differences and fail to capture the full range of abilities and challenges present in a diverse classroom. Similarly, assigning reading at grade level without any modification does not account for the varied readiness levels among students, which can lead to frustration and disengagement, ultimately hindering their learning.