What is a foundational approach when a student struggles to understand?

• A. Provide high-stakes testing for every student to ensure accountability.
• B. Never give up! Every child has the right to an education, and should be provided with educational opportunities that are geared to his or her needs, interests, and abilities.
• C. Rely on a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
• D. Isolate the student from peers to save time.

Answer: (B)

When a student struggles to understand, a foundational approach is to ensure access through responsive, individualized support that respects each learner’s needs, interests, and abilities. This means differentiating instruction, offering multiple ways to represent and practice concepts, and providing timely scaffolds so the student can engage with the material and make progress. It’s about perseverance and inclusion—adapting methods and materials rather than assuming a single approach will fit everyone. This reflects the principle that every child has the right to an education and should receive opportunities tailored to who they are.

This approach is the best because it directly targets understanding by meeting the student where they are and adjusting instruction to help them access and build the concepts.

High-stakes testing for every student doesn’t provide instructional solutions and can add pressure without supporting understanding. A one-size-fits-all curriculum ignores differences in readiness and learning styles. Isolating the student from peers removes valuable social and collaborative learning that often helps clarify concepts and sustain motivation.