What is Tier 3?

Tier 3 is the most intensive level of behavioral support in the PBIS framework. It’s designed for the 1–5% of students whose needs are chronic, severe, and individualized, and who have not responded adequately to Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions.

Tier 3 support is wraparound, collaborative, and highly personalized, often involving multiple stakeholders including families, mental health professionals, administrators, and instructional staff.

 How Do Students Move to Tier 3?

Entry Criteria

• Repeated failure to respond to Tier 2 interventions

• Multiple office discipline referrals (ODRs) and suspensions

• Documented behavioral or emotional challenges that interfere with learning

• Input from school teams, counselors, psychologists, or outside professionals

 Data-Driven Decision-Making

• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

• Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

• Input from CICO progress data, incident reports, and academic/social records

Tier 3 decisions are made by a multidisciplinary team, often called the PBIS Core or Student Support Team.

Core Components & Principles of Tier 3

1. Individualized, Intensive Interventions

• Supports are customized to match the student’s specific behavior patterns, triggers, and strengths.

• May include 1:1 adult support, behavior therapy integration, or mental health services.

2. Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

• Conducted to understand the why behind the behavior.

• Informs the development of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that teaches replacement behaviors.

3. Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

• Written plan that identifies:

  • Triggers

  • Replacement behaviors

  • Prevention strategies

  • Positive reinforcements

  • Response to challenging behavior

4. Wraparound and Collaboration

• Includes family, school staff, and often community agencies

• May involve:

  • Counseling

  • Trauma-informed support

  • Academic interventions

5. Ongoing Data Monitoring

• Frequent data review (daily/weekly)

• Adjustments made based on progress

• Success = movement back toward Tier 2 or Tier 1 support levels

Tier 3 Supports May Include:

• Daily 1:1 

• Check-ins      

• Behavior Contracts & BIPs

• Counseling or MH services

• Safety plans

• Modified academic programming

Tier 3 PBIS is not a punishment—it’s a comprehensive, team-based, and individualized support process to help students build the skills and strategies they need to succeed behaviorally and emotionally.