What is the first step a counselor should take when planning an intervention for students struggling with complex topics?

The correct choice highlights the importance of creating specific, tangible supports to aid students in comprehending complex topics. By developing concrete supports such as graphic organizers, counselors provide tools that can help students visually break down and organize the information they are learning. These tools make abstract concepts more accessible and can facilitate better understanding and retention.

Graphic organizers, for instance, allow students to see relationships between ideas and provide a framework for synthesizing information. This foundational step is crucial as it equips struggling students with strategies to navigate complex material, ultimately leading to enhanced learning outcomes. Such supports can be particularly beneficial for diverse learners who may have different learning styles or who require additional structure to succeed academically.

In contrast, modifying academic standards, identifying peer support, or implementing simplified tasks may come into play later in the intervention process, but the immediate need is to create specific, supportive tools that directly address the challenges students are facing with complex topics.