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If you’re wondering what Tier 3 in education is, you’re not alone. Many people are confused by the various tiers of education, and Tier 3 is often one of the most misunderstood.
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What is Tier 3?
Tier 3 in education is the intensive level of support that is provided to students who struggle with academics or behavior. This level of support is typically provided by special education teachers or other specialists. Tier 3 interventions are more individualized than Tier 2 interventions and are usually only used for students who have not responded well to Tier 2 interventions.
Why is Tier 3 Important?
Tier 3 is the highest level of support in the three-tiered model of prevention, and it is designed to address the needs of students who are struggling with academic or behavioral problems.
The key to successful Tier 3 interventions is that they are targeted to small groups of students or even to individuals. The focus is on addressing the root cause of the problem, which may be a skill deficit, a gap in knowledge, or a behavior that is interfering with learning.
Interventions at this level are usually more intense than those at Tier 2, and they may last for a longer period of time. They may also be more expensive to implement, which is why it is important to first exhaust all Tier 1 and Tier 2 options before moving to Tier 3.
One of the benefits of the three-tiered model is that it provides a way for educators to match interventions to student needs. Not all students who need extra support will require intensive interventions, and not all students who are struggling will need the same type of intervention.
Tier 3 interventions should only be used when other options have been exhausted and when data indicates that student needs are not being met by Tier 1 or Tier 2 supports.
What are the Different Types of Tier 3 Interventions?
The term “tier 3 interventions” refers to the most intense level of behavioral support that schools provide to students. Tier 3 interventions are typically individualized and implemented by a team of specialists. They are typically provided to students who need the highest level of support, and they are usually more intensive and individualized than tier 2 interventions.
The specific type of tier 3 intervention that a student receives will depend on their individual needs. Some common types of tier 3 interventions include:
-Individualized behavior plans
-Functional behavioral assessments
-Positive behavior support plans
-Social skills groups
-Individual counseling
-Family counseling
-Psychological testing
What are the Steps in Tier 3?
Most educators are familiar with the three-tiered model of service delivery for students with academic and/or behavioral needs. This framework, also known as RTI (Response to Intervention), is designed to provide struggling students with high-quality, differentiated instruction and support.
The three tiers of RTI are sometimes referred to as prevention, early intervention, and intensive intervention. Tier 3, the intensive intervention tier, is designed for students who are not making sufficient progress in Tier 2 interventions. In other words, Tier 3 is for students who need more targeted, individualized support in order to make academic and/or behavioral gains.
The steps in Tier 3 vary depending on the student’s needs, but they typically include:
-A more intense and individualized level of instruction and/or behavior support
-Frequent progress monitoring to assess student response to interventions
-Adjustments to interventions based on student progress data
-A higher level of parental involvement
What are the Benefits of Tier 3?
While lower-tiered interventions are designed to support all students in a population, Tier 3 is designed to support students who are not responding well to Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions. In other words, Tier 3 interventions are more targeted and intense than lower-tiered interventions.
There are many benefits of implementing a Tier 3 system of support in schools. First, by definition, Tier 3 interventions are more targeted and therefore can be more effective than lower-tiered interventions. Second, because they are more targeted, they tend to be less costly than lower-tiered interventions. And third, because they address the needs of the most vulnerable students in a population, they can help reduce achievement gaps.
Of course, there are challenges associated with implementing a Tier 3 system of support. Perhaps the biggest challenge is that Tier 3 interventions require a greater investment of time and resources than lower-tiered interventions. Additionally, because they are more targeted, it can be difficult to find evidence-based Tier 3 interventions that meet the specific needs of a school or district.
