Tier III of the Three Tier
Reading Model
WHAT IS THE 3-TIER READING MODEL

Tier I – Core Classroom Instruction

Tier II – Intervention

Tier III – Intensive Intervention
(The person providing the instruction is referred
to as an Interventionist.)
TIER III: INTENSIVE INTERVENTION

Specifically designed reading instruction for
students who have NOT responded to high
quality instruction in Tier I and Tier II.

Supplements 90 minutes of Tier I instruction.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TIER III AND SPECIAL
EDUCATION

In WV, SAT teams make decisions regarding
students’ needs for special education services.

This model provides a process for meeting the
needs of students identified as having learning
disabilities in reading.
RELATIONSHIP WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION
Tier III instruction may work in conjunction with
special education reading instruction.
 Schools/districts must decide how to address
the relationship between instruction in Tier III
and instruction delivered through special
education services.

ELIGIBILITY FOR TIER III
Students who have received two rounds of Tier
II
 In some cases, students who have received
only one round of Tier II
 Students who have exited Tier III but need Tier
III support again

BASIC FEATURES OF TIER III
Two 30-minute sessions a day, 5 days a week
 Groups of 3 students
 Progress is monitored every two weeks
 Same ability grouping

TIER III STUDENTS NEED:
Repeated opportunities for practice and review
 Additional correction and feedback
 Increased time on task
 Drill repetition and practice review
 Tasks broken down into smaller steps
 Learning made visible
 Prompts and cues

PROGRAMS/MATERIALS FOR TIER III

Choose programs and materials based on the
needs of the identified students

Select research-based programs that
emphasize the 5 essential components of
reading instruction
PROGRAMS/MATERIALS (CONT.)

Possible modifications to program/materials:
a. Redefining the group size
b. Providing additional instructional
time
c. Providing extended time for the
intervention
TIER III - POSSIBILITIES

Could be a pullout program

Suggest for Tier III that the intervention
program be Orton Gillingham based
BIBLIOGRAPHY

3-Tier Reading Model. UTCRLA. Austin.TX