Diagnostic instruction involves assessing strengths and weaknesses to tailor instruction.

• A. Teaching by trial and error
• B. Assessing strengths and weaknesses to tailor instruction
• C. Ignoring student needs
• D. Using a fixed curriculum

Answer: (B)

Diagnostic instruction uses ongoing assessment to identify what a student can do well and where they struggle, so teaching can be customized to meet those needs. This approach guides you to target specific skills, differentiate instruction, and choose appropriate supports based on real strengths and weaknesses. In early literacy, for example, you might find a learner reads fluently but has trouble with phonemic awareness, prompting focused activities to strengthen that area and move them forward. The other options don’t fit because teaching by trial and error isn’t guided by data, ignoring student needs misses the purpose of adapting instruction, and a fixed curriculum doesn’t adjust to individual strengths and gaps.