Explanation of Tier 1

According to the website, www.rtinetwork.org, Tier 1 is used to ensure teachers that any difficulties a student faces in the classroom are not being caused by the teacher's inability to instruct these students adequately. This website mentions that "all students [struggling in the classroom or school] receive high-quality, scientifically based instruction provided by qualified personnel." Screenings of the students are done periodically in order to identify any academic, behavioral, or learning difficulties so that additional services can be provided for these students. Any student that is "identified as being 'at risk' through [these] screenings and/or on state or districtwide tests receive supplemental instruction during the school day in the[ir] regular [education] classroom." The time it takes to make sure that this student receives the adequate support varies, "but it should not exceed [over] 8 weeks."

Another website, www.understood.org, explains that these screens are universal in which the skills of every students in the general education classroom are measured. "The screening[s] help teacher[s] work with students in small groups based on their skills levels."


 What are the strategies used within Tier 1?

The website previously mentioned, www.rtinetwork.org, explains that "effective teachers do not simply teach . . . page-by-page in the same way for all students" These teachers must use the data collected from the screenings and differentiate the instruction amongst his or her students in order to meet their additional needs and to help them become successful in their classroom.

Another website, www.corwin.com, indicates that "instructional strategies at this level are intended to build on student strengths and create a foundation for further learning and achievement."

Strategies used within Tier 1

According to a website, http://www.specialeducationguide.com/pre-k-12/response-to-intervention/effective-rti-strategies-for-teachers/

Teachers have a variety of options of many strategies that they can use in their classroom. These strategies include providing students with direct instruction. Teachers will need to be explicit during their instruction so that students are able to understand what is being taught. Another strategy includes using hands-on, non-linguistic representations. An example of this is saying, "Everyone, draw a common noun, you have three minutes," it is important for teacher to set a timer in order to keep the activity moving. By using this strategy students will be able to understand what a noun is based on the definition and by connecting it to a drawing. Another strategy would be to restate the objective and reinforce the lesson to make sure students understood the overall purpose of the lesson. Teachers may say something like, "Today we have discovered that a common noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea." This is also helpful for any students that got distracted during the lesson.


If students show progress after being provided with adequate instruction, he or she is returned to their regular education classroom. Students that do not show any progress in Tier 1 are moved to Tier 2 in which different strategies will be used to meet their academic needs.