What term describes differentiating instruction by matching challenge levels to student readiness?

The term that describes differentiating instruction by matching challenge levels to student readiness is tiering. This strategy involves adjusting the complexity of tasks according to the readiness levels of students, ensuring that each learner is engaged at an appropriate level of difficulty. Tiering allows educators to create multiple pathways for students to access the same content while providing varying degrees of challenge—making learning more relevant and effective for individual needs.

By using tiered assignments, teachers can help students achieve greater depth of understanding and skill mastery, regardless of their starting point. This approach fosters a more personalized learning environment, accommodating diverse learning styles and paces. In contrast, compacting involves streamlining the curriculum for students who demonstrate mastery; enrichment adds additional learning opportunities for advanced students; and acceleration involves moving students through the curriculum at a faster pace than typical. While these methods can support gifted and talented learners, tiering specifically pertains to matching instructional challenges to readiness levels.