STANDARD 3 – Diversity
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates
instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Knowledge Indicator: The competent teacher
3A. Understands the areas of exceptionality in learning as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities
Act (IDEA) and the Illinois Administrative Code.
3B. Understands the process of second language acquisition and strategies to support the learning of
students whose first language is not English.
3C. Understands how students’ learning is influenced by individual experiences, talents, and prior
learning, as well as language, culture, family, and community values.
3D. Understands and identifies differences in approaches to learning and performance, including
different learning styles, multiple intelligences, and performance modes.
3E. Understands cultural and community diversity through a well-grounded framework and
understands how to learn about and incorporate students’ experiences, cultures, and community
resources into instruction.
3F. Understands personal cultural perspectives and biases and their effects on one’s
teaching.

Performance Indicators: The competent teacher
3G. Facilitates a learning community in which individual differences are respected.
3H. Makes appropriate provisions (in terms of time and circumstances for work, tasks assigned,
communication, and response modes) for individual students who have particular learning
differences or needs.
3I. Uses information about students’ families, cultures, and communities as a basis for connecting
instruction to students’ experiences.
3J. Uses cultural diversity and individual student experiences to enrich instruction.
3K. Uses a wide range of instructional strategies and technologies to meet and enhance diverse
student needs.
3L. Identifies and designs instruction appropriate to students’ stages of development, learning styles,
strengths and needs.
3M. Identifies when and how to develop and implement strategies and interventions within the
classroom and how to access appropriate services or resources to assist students with
exceptional learning needs.
3N. Demonstrates positive regard for the culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and
varying abilities of individual students and their families.