Individualized instruction optimizes time spent by student and teacher for the greatest benefit of both. Most instructional time is currently spent lecturing. By replacing live lectures with recorded lectures, the teacher is free to provide personal, individualized instruction to each student. An effective one-to-one student-teacher ratio is established. Individualized instruction puts fewer demands for routine tasks on the teacher; however, it requires resourcefulness and ingenuity to ensure that each student masters every part of a subject. While individualized instruction requires a greater initial investment in materials and equipment, financial savings can be realized. During five years of individualized instruction at the Centennial High School Business Learning Center, the cost per student was significantly less than it would have been under the traditional lecture system. Individualized instruction requires a higher student-teacher ratio in order to achieve cost effectiveness; however, because the teacher is freed from routine tasks, this does not pose a problem. A school can offer more courses since students in the same learning center do not need to be studying the same material. Mainstreaming of handicapped and gifted students is also enhanced. Individualized instruction is a framework the central theme of which is adaptability. (DC)