Which of the following are effective teaching strategies to cater to diverse needs of learners in a classroom ?
(a) Differentiated Instruction
(b) Standardized Curriculum
(c) Individualized Education Plans

The correct answer is (a), (c).

To cater to the diverse learning needs, abilities, backgrounds, and learning paces of students in a classroom, educators must adopt inclusive and flexible teaching strategies. Let us analyze each of the given strategies:

(a) Differentiated Instruction: This is a teaching approach in which teachers adapt their content, process, products, or learning environment based on individual student readiness, interest, and learning profiles. It allows every student to access the curriculum effectively according to their unique learning styles, making it a highly effective strategy for diverse classrooms.

(b) Standardized Curriculum: A standardized curriculum uses a uniform, "one-size-fits-all" approach where the same content, instruction, and assessments are applied equally to all students without accounting for individual differences or diverse learning needs. Therefore, strictly following a standard, inflexible curriculum fails to address the unique learning requirements of diverse learners.

(c) Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): An IEP is a customized educational plan designed specifically for learners with special needs or distinct learning requirements. It outlines tailored goals, accommodations, and instruction to help the learner succeed, making it a vital strategy for addressing learner diversity.

Thus, strategies (a) Differentiated Instruction and (c) Individualized Education Plans are effective for diverse learners, making (a), (c) the correct choice.