The Pyramid of Interventions and Multi-tiered System of Support:
A multi-tiered system of support provides guidance for delivering comprehensive, quality instruction for all students. An RTI framework is designed to provide evidence-based instruction and targeted interventions that lead to student success.
ALL: Core Classroom Instruction
All students should receive core classroom instruction utilizing scientifically based curriculum and methods to teach critical elements of a subject (reading, math, written expression), e.g., 80-90 percent of students will have a sufficient response to instruction by demonstrating subject proficiency with effective Tier 1 instruction. Students who score at the higher level of Tier 1 should be receiving instruction that will continue to keep them challenged.
Some: Strategic Targeted Instruction
Some students will receive strategically targeted instruction in addition to core instruction. Strategic Instruction addresses the specific needs of students who do not make sufficient subject progress in Tier 1. Tier 2 interventions are targeted to teach specific skill needs, are scientifically based, and align with core classroom instruction. Approximately 5-10 percent of students will require Tier 2 instruction. Instruction is generally provided in a small group (3-5 students) format with similarly skilled students. The duration of this instruction varies based on student assessment and progress monitoring data that measures student response to intervention.
Few: Intensive Targeted Instruction
Intensive targeted instruction is provided to the most at-risk students who have not responded sufficiently to Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction. This small percentage (1-8%) of students usually have severe skill difficulties and require instruction that is more explicit, more intensive, and specifically designed to meet individual needs. Intensive instruction should take place in addition to Tier 1 instruction; however, it may, in a few instances, replace core instruction. Students needing targeted Tier 3 interventions will have additional instruction daily (e.g., 90 minutes of Tier 1 instruction plus 60-90 minutes of intervention instruction). Tier 3 intervention may replace Tier 2 instruction and should be provided by the most qualified teacher within a small group of two to five students. The duration of this intervention is extended over a longer period of time and varies based on student assessment and progress monitoring data.