Adaptive Teaching

Adaptive Teaching

Why this matters

Adaptive teaching ensures that high expectations are maintained for all learners, while teaching is adjusted responsively to meet diverse needs.

It is about flexibility, not lowering standards.

What this means for staff

• Anticipating barriers to learning

• Using scaffolds strategically and removing them over time

• Adjusting instruction, not outcomes

• Responding in real time to learner need

What this looks like in practice

• Chunking instructions and content

• Providing models, sentence starters or visual supports

• Using flexible grouping

• Offering multiple ways to access and demonstrate learning

• Adjusting pace or approach based on feedback

Reflecting on impact

Staff might ask:

• Who is making progress with support—and who without?

• Am I adapting tasks or simply simplifying them?

• How do I know adaptations are helping learners become more independent?