MTSS

At its core, Tier 1 represents the foundation of instruction. The standards-aligned curriculum, daily live teaching, and ongoing progress monitoring make up this level that all students.  When Tier 1 is effective, at least 80 percent of students should demonstrate mastery of grade-level content. Tier 2 and Tier 3 provide supplemental support beyond Tier 1, with each level marked by increased live instructional time, smaller group sizes, and more precise skill targeting. Supplemental programs such as i-Ready, IXL, Raz-Kids, and MindPlay are intentionally selected at the schoolwide level to reinforce live instruction, not replace it.

Decisions about student movement between tiers are grounded in data, with progress monitoring built into instruction and formal review cycles every six to eight weeks. This ensures that interventions are responsive and targeted, and that no student is placed in Tier 2 or Tier 3 based solely on a single test score. The matrix is designed to help leaders define what each tier looks like in practice within their school, from the structure of live sessions to the integration of supplemental programs, while maintaining equity and access for all students, including those receiving IEP, ESOL, and 504 accommodations.