FL 4. Three Tiers of Instruction

Tier 2 Targeted Intervention

• Targeted intervention for students showing signs of reading risk.
• Tier 2 instruction is in addition to Tier 1 instruction.
• Tier 2 instruction should be aligned to Tier 1 instruction by using the same instructional routines, language, and sequence.
• Staff providing the intervention should have ongoing training on the program or approach used.
• Typically delivered in a 30- to 45- minute block, three to five days a week, with sufficient time built into the school schedule.
• Tier 2 instruction can be delivered inside or outside the general education classroom.

Tier 3 Intensive Intervention

• Intensive intervention for students at high risk who have not responded to quality tier 1 and tier 2 instruction.
• Tier 3 is received in addition to Tier 1 instruction. If students are missing Tier 1 instruction, they'll constantly be playing catch up.
• Intervention is strategically and purposefully prescribed based on assessment data.
• Typically, Tier 3 is provided outside of the general education classroom.
• "Students with dyslexia will need prolonged, intensive, explicit and systematic instructional support delivered by a highly trained educator" (Ohio's Dyslexia Guidebook, 2022).

• Tier 3 is not synonymous with special education.

Tier 1 Instruction

• All students receive Tier 1 instruction.
• The provision of high-quality core structured literacy curriculum and instruction within a general curriculum (Tier 1) for all learners.
• In an effective schoolwide reading program, only a few students will need intensive intervention support since the needs of most students will be met through the provision of tier 1 or tier 2 support.
• All students receive universal screening three times per year. Intervention-based diagnostic assessments are given on an as needed basis.