What exactly is meant by a “differentiation model”?

Typical of a comprehensive school are the many transition options for students. The VSO (Renewed Secondary Education) is a good Flemish example of such an organizational form. It was also called ‘education à la carte’, because students could put together their study package in detail, completely according to their own interests.

In a comprehensive school the classes are therefore very heterogeneously composed, there are pupils with very different characteristics (eg in terms of prior knowledge). The teacher faces the challenge of offering education tailored to each student.

This can be done on the basis of an (intraclassical) differentiation model. A good example is “Mastery learning”. Only after mastering 80% of the subject matter, the student may move on to the next learning unit. Some students need more time for this than others. After a formative test, you can The teacher should therefore check which students need additional explanation or practice, and which student can get started with the extension material.

Good luck!

Wouter Hustinx

Limburg Provincial University

Department of Education