Which strategy supports diverse learners when differentiating printed materials?

• A. Tiered tasks
• B. Uniform tasks for all learners
• C. No glossary
• D. Rigid pacing

Answer: (A)

The main idea is meeting diverse learners where they are by giving tasks that vary in challenge while staying focused on the same learning goal. Tiered tasks let students engage with printed materials at different levels of complexity, so a student working with a basic text can demonstrate understanding through simpler questions, while a more advanced reader tackles deeper analysis or synthesis. This approach preserves the same objective for everyone but adapts the entry point, supporting accessibility for different reading levels, prior knowledge, and language proficiency. It also invites the teacher to pair each tier with appropriate supports—like glossaries, visuals, or scaffolding prompts—so all learners can access the content and show their understanding. In contrast, giving all students the same task can leave some feeling overwhelmed or unchallenged, skipping the needs of varied readers; lacking a glossary can impede comprehension for those building vocabulary; and rigid pacing shuts down flexibility for students who need more time or want to advance sooner. Tiered tasks therefore best support diverse learners when differentiating printed materials.