Non-Negotiables
There are many parts to defensible differentiation, such as the non-negotiables, that should not be dismissed but rather acknowledged and implemented. The non-negotiables include "respecting individuals, owning student success, building community, providing high-quality curriculum, assessing to inform instruction, implementing flexible classroom routines, creating varied avenues to learning, and sharing responsibility for teaching and learning," (Tomlinson, Brimijoin, & Narvaez, 2008, p. 3). Without these essential elements of defensible differentiation, it is impossible to collectively share a vision and necessary need for change, in order to expect all students to experience success as learners.
