How strong is your core?
Strengthening Tier 1 is the most powerful lever for improving outcomes because it ensures that all students, regardless of background or need, receive high-quality, evidence-based instruction and support. A strong core reduces the number of students requiring supplemental intervention, improves schoolwide culture, and increases instructional time for both teachers and learners.
Why focus here?
Tier 1 is the foundation of every effective school system. It includes the instruction, curriculum, and learning environment that every student experiences—every day, in every classroom.
When Tier 1 is strong, 70–80% of students are successful without any additional supplemental supports and services. When it’s not, schools experience rising behavior concerns, intervention overload, and widening achievement gaps.
Academic Achievement
Evidence-based curriculum, explicit instruction, differentiation, universal supports, and strong formative assessment practices
Social-Emotional Wellbeing
Clear expectations, consistent routines, positive behavior supports, predictable structures, and emotionally supportive, inclusive environments
Student & Family Engagement
Proactive engagement systems, early identification of attendance concerns, partnerships with families, and classroom environments where students want to show up and succeed
“If your core program is not meeting the needs of 70–80% of your learners, attention must shift here. Improving Tier 1 is not just an instructional change—it is a systems change that impacts staffing, teaming, culture, and the daily experience of every student.”
— Joan Schumann, PhD
How Can We Support in Strengthening Tier 1?
Everything is rooted in research, aligned with implementation science, and tailored to your school’s unique context.
Core Program Review
Evaluate curriculum, instruction, teaming, and learning environments
Classroom Observations & Feedback
Strengthen explicit instruction, engagement, and classroom routines
Tier 1 Leadership Coaching
Build principal and leadership team confidence in leading core instructional improvements
Data Use Problem-Solving Protocols
Support teams to use data effectively at Tier 1 to strengthen core instruction and classroom culture
Team Alignment & Coherence
Build coherence across academic, behavior and attendance teams
Attendance Framework Development
Create proactive, equitable Tier 1 attendance supports
FAQs + Quality Resources
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High-quality Tier 1 instruction is evidence-based, explicit, engaging, and accessible to all learners. It includes clear learning goals, strong modeling, frequent checks for understanding, active participation, and scaffolded practice. When Tier 1 is effective, 70–80% of students succeed with core instruction alone.
National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII)
Academic intervention tools, screening guidance, and instructional resources.
https://intensiveintervention.orgWhat Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
Reviews and vetting of evidence-based programs and practices.
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwcIES Practice Guides (Institute of Education Sciences)
Step-by-step, research-backed recommendations for strong Tier 1 instruction in reading, math, writing, and study skills.
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/practiceguide -
High-quality Tier 1 behavior systems establish clear expectations, consistent routines, positive reinforcement, and supportive classroom environments that work for all students. Strong Tier 1 practices reduce disruptions, increase engagement, and create the conditions where learning can thrive.
Center on PBIS
Guidance on Tier 1 expectations, schoolwide systems, and core PBIS practices.
https://www.pbis.orgNational TA Center on PBIS – Classroom Practice Guides
Practical tools for strengthening Tier 1 classroom routines, behavior supports, and teacher practices.
https://www.pbis.org/resource/center-on-pbis-classroom-practice-guidesCASEL
Evidence-based SEL frameworks and resources that support positive school climate and student well-being.
https://casel.org -
Strong Tier 1 attendance practices focus on creating a welcoming school culture, monitoring attendance early, partnering with families, and addressing barriers before they become chronic. When Tier 1 is effective, most students attend regularly because they feel connected, supported, and engaged in their learning.
Attendance Works
Comprehensive, evidence-based tools for building Tier 1 attendance systems, early warning indicators, messaging, and family partnerships.
https://www.attendanceworks.orgREL West (Regional Educational Laboratory)
Research briefs, early warning frameworks, and attendance improvement strategies aligned with school-level implementation.
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/westEveryone Graduates Center – Early Warning Systems
Guidance on using data to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism and designing proactive Tier 1 systems.
https://new.every1graduates.org/early-warning-systems
