What is Learner Variability

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Concept recognizing that all students differ and have struggles and strengths, supported by learning sciences, that impact outcomes, including content area skills, cognitive abilities, social-emotional capabilities, and students’ background factors. Learn more in: Understanding and Supporting the Whole Child: Lessons From the Learner Variability Project

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The individual variations that occur among learners due to the naturally differentiated development of young children, their family background, the environment they grow up in, and the experiences they have. These variations impact how children learn and acquire skills. Learn more in: Personalized Mastery-Based Learning Ecosystem: A New Paradigm for Improving Outcomes and Defying Expectations in Early Childhood

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The recognition that there is no average or “typical” learner. Rather, those in a learning environment bring a dynamic mix of strengths, challenges, preferences, interests, and experiences. Learn more in: Implementing Universal Design for Learning in the Virtual Learning Environment

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Students differ from one another based on a number of facets, including interests, strengths, and areas of weakness. The variability of learners is important to consider when identifying formative assessment strategies. Learn more in: Don't Assess a Fish by Its Ability to Climb a Tree: Considerations and Strategies to Ensure Equitable Formative Assessment Practices for All Learners