A discrete part of

Question

Hello~, what do you think about the meaning of the phrase "a discrete part of the student population"?

On the dictionary, it says the meaning of "discrete" is "separate". But I don't understand why the word is used in this context. Can I understand the phrase as "some students"? Or what could be better or more accurate interpretation of the phrase?

Thanks for your help.

Look at each segment of the curriculum through the lens of the three
elements of learning. If this is not done, students who are slow to obtain

automation struggle to apply principles and will consistently fail to
produce higher-level thinking objectives. A word of caution, more and
more curricula are placing an emphasis on higher-level thinking objectives.
Unless the teacher can determine what core information needs to
be automated and what advanced skills need to be mastered, higher-level
thinking cannot occur. The outcome is teachers spending more time on
teaching advanced concepts and a discrete part of the student population
never being able to comprehend no matter how many different ways the
topics are approached.

GPY · Accepted Answer

Well, I guess the fact that they never comprehend sets them apart, but I don't think the word "discrete" adds a whole lot of essential meaning here. The highlighted phrase seems to mean little more than "a part of the student population".

Anonymous · Answer

In this case, with "discrete" being "separate" it can also mean a "specific" group. As in this group is separated by some sort of description or trait that makes them separate from the larger group of students. In this case, this is a separate, specific group of students who don't understand, while the larger group does understand.

A discrete part of

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