Teachers face the twin, seemingly contradictory demands of standards-based reform and a highly diverse student body in their classrooms—meanwhile helping all students gain full access to the standard curriculum. Deborah Voltz, Michele Jean Sims, and Betty Nelson, who have taught in far-ranging school settings and together boast a century of teaching experience, wrote this book to help teachers answer questions the authors frequently hear: What is the best way to accommodate each student’s individual learning needs while teaching the same standards for everyone? How can I address the needs of such a diverse range of students—including students with disabilities, English language learners, and kids with widely diverging skill levels?

In this interview, Deborah Voltz—drawing on real-school examples and with many an encouraging word—explains how teachers can creatively use informal assessment, make collaborative learning an authentic exchange among diverse kids, and help a highly diverse group of students all "see themselves reflected in the curriculum."

This interview was conducted by Educational Leadership associate editor Naomi Thiers.