SMCISD is committed to providing the highest quality differentiated instruction, using best practices and interventions to match individual student needs in the following ways:

RESEARCHED BEST PRACTICES

• Building positive relationship with students
• Promoting justice and equity in the classroom (with consideration for cultural and ethnic diversity among students)
• Providing diversity of instructional styles and assessment styles implemented
• Implementing student-centered collaboration, discussion, exploration, discovery, and creation
• Providing mentorship and opportunities for student leadership
• Cultivating a learning environment with relevant, meaningful, real world applications  
• Facilitating higher level questioning and critical thinking forums, such as socratic style
• Implementing the strategies of The Fundamental Five, by Sean Cain and Mike Liard, to promote student engagement

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

• Offering students in same class different teaching and learning strategies (focusing on assessment data and knowledge of student readiness, learning styles, language, and culture)
• Utilizing mixed instructional / small groups, team teaching, peer tutoring, and accommodations to ensure learning accessibility for all students

INTERVENTIONS (TIERS 1-3)

• Designing curriculum and interventions to ensure that all students reach their fullest potential within a school-wide learning community
• Utilizing progress monitoring and evaluation of outcomes to drive individualized instruction
• Making decisions to provide academic and behavioral supports that meet students’ targeted needs