By Annie Gerst, M.Ed., Certified Trainer
Annie is a Certified Facilitator for Reading Horizons and a former elementary school teacher. She earned a Master of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma from Tabor College and a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Harding University.
Here’s a question we don’t ask often enough: Is your intervention program reinforcing your Tier 1 instruction—or unintentionally working against it?
Too often, we treat intervention like a fix-it patch rather than an extension of strong Tier 1 instruction. But the truth is, without a cohesive and aligned approach across all tiers, even the best-intentioned interventions can fall flat—or worse, create confusion for the very students they’re meant to support.
Let’s start with a shared understanding.
What Do We Really Mean by Tiers?
At its core, a tiered instructional system is a way to provide the right level of support for each student. It’s dynamic, flexible, and driven by data—not labels. Here’s a quick refresher:
- Tier 1: High-quality, evidence-based instruction for all students in the general education classroom. Done right, this should meet the needs of the majority—and reduce the number who need more intensive support.
- Tier 2: Targeted, small-group interventions for students who need help with specific skills.
- Tier 3: Intensive, individualized instruction for students struggling despite support at Tiers 1 and 2.
What’s often overlooked? Tier 3 students still receive Tier 1 instruction. That means consistency across tiers isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Alignment Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Necessity
Consider this: What happens when a student is taught one marking system for decoding in Tier 1, and an entirely different one in Tier 2?
Confusion. Frustration. Slower progress.
That disconnect isn’t due to a lack of care—it’s often a result of rushed decisions, siloed teams, or pressure to implement solutions quickly. But patchwork approaches can sabotage the very goals they’re trying to achieve.
Instead, schools need alignment: shared language, consistent routines, and materials that reinforce—not contradict—each other.
Use Data Like a Compass, Not Just a Report Card
We don’t need to wait for a perfect research-to-practice pipeline. A wealth of insight is already available—if we use it strategically.
Start with aligned, high-quality data. That includes benchmark data and curriculum-specific assessments, which offer a more complete picture of student learning. They allow school teams to make informed, timely decisions about instruction and support. Use this data to plan interventions that are responsive, not reactive. And remember: progress monitoring isn’t a hoop to jump through—it’s your early warning system and guide.
When educators pair the right data with consistent materials and informed instructional planning, students get what they need.
Same Program, Different Intensity
Here’s the magic move: Instead of swapping out programs, shift how you use them. Give the students multiple “at-bats” across the tiers and stack the learning opportunities using the same curriculum.
- Want to intensify instruction? Spend more time on a specific skill.
- Need to support fluency and automaticity? Try one-on-one sessions with increased frequency.
- Building comprehension and vocabulary? Use group discussion to create meaning and engagement.
You reduce cognitive load and increase student confidence by leveraging your Tier 1 program across Tiers 2 and 3—with appropriate scaffolds and pacing.
Yes, some states require schools to use different materials across tiers. And of course, you should always follow local guidance. But wherever possible, aim for alignment in approach, even if the tools vary.
Stop Plugging Holes. Instead, Build a Bridge.
It’s time to move beyond patchwork solutions. When intervention becomes an extension—not an exception—of Tier 1, we build a bridge toward mastery, not a detour around it.
The path forward isn’t about more programs. It’s about deeper alignment, better collaboration, and consistent, data-informed instruction at every level.
Because when we get this right, we don’t just support our striving readers—we empower them.
Want to put aligned instruction into action?
Download our free Six Strategies eBook—a practical guide to delivering consistent, effective literacy instruction across all tiers.
