According to Carol Tomlinson, differentiated instruction emphasizes what type of approach?

Differentiated instruction, as outlined by Carol Tomlinson, focuses on a qualitative approach to teaching. This approach recognizes that students have diverse readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all method, a qualitative approach emphasizes tailoring instruction to meet individual student needs, allowing for varied teaching methods, materials, and assessments. By doing so, educators can engage students more deeply, accommodate different learning styles, and ultimately enhance the learning experience.

The other choices do not align with Tomlinson's philosophy. A quantitative approach to assessment would rely heavily on numerical data, which can overlook the nuances of a student's understanding and growth. A standardized approach to learning applies uniform methods and assessments across all students, disregarding their unique needs and abilities. Lastly, a rigid approach for all students does not allow flexibility and adaptability in teaching, which is contrary to the principles of differentiated instruction. Thus, the qualitative approach is fundamentally about understanding and responding to the individual learning needs of each student.