Response to Intervention: A Tiered Approach to Instructing All Students

Summary

This video script explains a three-tiered instructional framework designed to support student learning. Tier 1 provides differentiated, evidence-based instruction to the majority of students. Tier 2 offers more targeted interventions for students who need additional help, delivered in small groups. Tier 3 delivers intensive, individualized interventions for the few students who require the most support. The script emphasizes that interventions at each tier supplement the core curriculum, not replace it, ensuring all students have opportunities to succeed, with a focus on helping struggling students catch up without necessarily requiring special education services.

Takeaways

• 😀 All students participate in Tier 1 instruction, which involves evidence-based core curriculum provided by the general classroom teacher.
• 😀 Tier 1 instruction is designed to meet the learning needs of 80-85% of students through effective, differentiated teaching strategies.
• 😀 For students who do not respond well to Tier 1, Tier 2 interventions provide more targeted and systematic support, typically in small groups.
• 😀 Tier 2 interventions supplement, rather than replace, the core curriculum and focus on helping students catch up in areas of difficulty.
• 😀 Students receiving Tier 2 interventions continue to participate in Tier 1 instruction and do not lose access to the core curriculum.
• 😀 Tier 2 interventions are generally delivered by the classroom teacher or a trained support staff member within the general classroom.
• 😀 Only about 15% of students will require Tier 2 interventions, as most students are expected to succeed with Tier 1 instruction.
• 😀 Tier 3 interventions are the most intensive and individualized, designed for students who need substantial additional support.
• 😀 Students in Tier 3 may receive interventions delivered by intervention specialists or special education teachers, often in one-on-one or very small group settings.
• 😀 Tier 3 interventions supplement Tier 1 instruction and do not replace the core curriculum, with the goal of helping students significantly close their learning gaps.
• 😀 Only about 5% of students will require Tier 3 interventions, with some students potentially moving on to special education services after these interventions.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the three-tiered model in education?

The three-tiered model is designed to provide a structured framework for delivering differentiated instruction and interventions to students based on their varying levels of academic need.

Who participates in Tier 1 instruction, and what does it entail?

All students participate in Tier 1 instruction, which involves high-quality, evidence-based teaching provided by the general classroom teacher as part of the core curriculum. This instruction is expected to meet the needs of 80-85% of students.

What happens if a student does not respond adequately to Tier 1 instruction?

If a student does not respond adequately to Tier 1 instruction, they will receive more intensive interventions at Tier 2, which involve systematic support aimed at addressing specific learning difficulties.

How are Tier 2 interventions delivered and who provides them?

Tier 2 interventions are typically delivered in small groups within the general classroom. These interventions are provided by the classroom teacher or another trained team member who has specialized knowledge to deliver the support.

Does receiving Tier 2 interventions replace participation in Tier 1 instruction?

No, students receiving Tier 2 interventions continue to participate in Tier 1 instruction. Tier 2 interventions supplement the core curriculum rather than replace it.

What is the role of Tier 3 interventions in the model?

Tier 3 interventions provide the most intensive, individualized support to students who require additional assistance beyond Tier 2. These interventions are often delivered by specialists, such as interventionists or special education teachers.

How many students typically require Tier 3 interventions?

Only about 5% of students typically require Tier 3 interventions, as these are reserved for the students with the greatest academic needs.

Are students in Tier 3 interventions still engaged in Tier 1 instruction?

Yes, even students in Tier 3 interventions continue to participate in Tier 1 instruction. The interventions are designed to supplement, not replace, the core curriculum.

What does RTI stand for, and how is it related to the three-tiered model?

RTI stands for Response to Intervention. It is a framework used in the three-tiered model to provide early, systematic assistance to struggling students, ensuring that interventions become more intensive at each tier based on the student's needs.

What is the primary difference between Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions?

The primary difference is the intensity and individualization of support. Tier 2 interventions are more systematic and delivered in small groups, while Tier 3 interventions are the most intensive, often delivered one-on-one or in very small groups to address specific needs.