ABSTRACT
Diagnostic assessment (preassessment) is as important to teaching as a physical exam is to prescribe appropriate medical regimens. In order for differentiation to be effective, assessment must be an ongoing part of teaching and learning. Educators following best practices must plan their instructional objectives and student outcomes carefully. Pre-assessment makes differentiation strategies defensible. The purpose of pre-assessment is to document the need for differentiated learning experiences. The goal of adapting situational leadership to teaching is to develop individuals who are responsible for their own learning; only then can they be lifelong learners. The form of the pre-assessment isn't nearly as important as its utilization. Many teachers may not realize that a leadership model could provide an easy way to pre-assess students, but it can.
