School Leaders' Think Tank

Posted: June 23, 2025 | By Principal Yeager

Let’s clear up one of the most misunderstood concepts in instruction: Scaffolding is NOT differentiation. It’s time we stop using these terms interchangeably and start empowering practitioners with the clarity and tools they deserve.

Differentiation is about giving different students different things. Scaffolding is about giving all students the same target—but providing temporary supports along the way until they can stand on their own.

Far too often, I see well-meaning educators confuse the two. So, I created a practical eBook that breaks it all down:
✅ What scaffolding actually is
✅ What research says about its impact
✅ When and how to use it
✅ And most importantly… when to remove it.

🎉 Now Available on the Practitioner’s Page

👉 Click here to read the full eBook on Scaffolding

You’ll find:

• A clear breakdown of scaffolding vs. differentiation
• Tools like the BDS T-Chart, Marzano Non-Linguistic Organizer, and PDSM Matrix
• Classroom examples for ELA, Math, Science, and CTE
• And a friendly challenge to inspect your own instructional supports

“Don’t carry the load for them—build the bridge, then step aside.”

Let’s scaffold for independence, not dependence.

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