Core Principles of Tier 3

• Card 1: Title: What is Tier 3?

  • Body: The most intensive, individualized level of support within the MTSS/RTI framework. For students with an IEP, these are the specially designed instructions and services legally mandated by their plan.

  • Icon: 🎯

• Card 2: Title: Key Characteristics

  • Body:

    • Individualized: Tailored to the student's unique disability and needs.

    • Data-Driven: Based on comprehensive evaluation data (like an FBA or psycho-educational report).

    • Systematic & Explicit: Skills are broken down and taught directly.

    • Intensive: High frequency (e.g., daily) and small setting (1:1 or 2:1).

  • Icon: 🔑

• Card 3: Title: The IEP is the Blueprint

  • Body: All Tier 3 supports are detailed in the IEP document:

    • Present Levels of Performance (PLOP)

    • Measurable Annual Goals

    • Special Education & Related Services

    • Accommodations & Modifications

  • Icon: 📋

  Card 1: Title: 🧠 Reading

  • Body:

    • Programs: Wilson Reading System, Orton-Gillingham

    • Strategies: Explicit phonics instruction, repeated reading with feedback, direct comprehension strategy instruction (e.g., using graphic organizers).

  • Attachment Link: [Link to a sample Wilson lesson plan or a graphic organizer template]

  Card 2: Title: ✍️ Writing

  • Body:

    • Strategy: Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD)

    • Tools: Sentence combining exercises, speech-to-text software, explicit planning instruction.

  • Attachment Link: [Link to an SRSD checklist or a writing planning sheet]

  Card 3: Title: ➗ Math

  • Body:

    • Strategy: Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) sequence.

    • Focus: Direct instruction on math facts and number sense.

    • Tools: Specialized graphic organizers for word problems.

  • Attachment Link: [Link to a CRA sequence example or a word problem flowchart]

Column 3: Behavioral & Executive Functioning

• Card 1: Title: 😊 Behavioral Support

  • Body:

    • Process: Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) -> Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).

    • Strategies: Check-In/Check-Out (CICO), Social Stories™, direct social skills instruction, sensory breaks.

  • Icon: 📊

  Card 2: Title: ⏱️ Executive Functioning

  • Body:

    • Time Management: Visual timers, chunking tasks.

    • Organization: Color-coded, mandatory binder checks.

    • Task Initiation: "First/Then" boards, Task Analysis checklists.

  • Icon: 🗂️

  Card 3: Title: Related Services

  • Body: Tier 3 support includes:

    • Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

    • Occupational Therapy (OT)

    • Physical Therapy (PT)

    • Counseling

  • Icon: 🤝

  Card 1: Title: Who Delivers Tier 3?

  • Body:

    • Special Education Teacher (Case Manager)

    • Related Service Providers (SLP, OT, etc.)

    • Paraprofessionals (under teacher direction)

  • Icon: 👩‍🏫

  Card 2: Title: Progress Monitoring is KEY

  • Body:

    • Frequency: Weekly or more often.

    • Tools: Curriculum-Based Measurements (CBMs), behavior tracking sheets, work samples.

    • Purpose: To make data-based decisions about continuing, adjusting, or fading the intervention.

• Title SlideTitle: Tier 3 Supports for IEP Students: Intensive, Individualized, & Effective

• Subtitle: Ensuring Meaningful Progress Through Specially Designed Instruction

• Presenter Name/Team

Slide 2: Agenda

• What is Tier 3 Support?

• The IEP as the Blueprint

• Academic Support Strategies

• Behavioral & Executive Functioning Supports

• The Role of Personnel

• Progress Monitoring & Data-Based Decisions

Slide 3: What is Tier 3? The Most Intensive Level

• Bullet Points:

  • Highest level of support in MTSS/RTI.

  • For IEP students, it is the Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) outlined in their legal document.

  • Characteristics: Individualized, Data-Driven, Systematic, Explicit, and Intensive.

• Visual: A graphic of the MTSS triangle with Tier 3 highlighted.

Slide 4: The IEP is the Tier 3 Blueprint

• Visual: An icon of a document with the words "IEP" and arrows pointing to key parts.

• Key Sections Driving Tier 3:

  • Present Levels: The "Why"

  • Goals: The "Destination"

  • SDI & Services: The "How" and "Who"

  • Accommodations: The "Access"

Slide 5: Academic Supports: Reading & Writing

• Reading (🧠):

  • Intensive Programs (Wilson, Orton-Gillingham)

  • Explicit Phonics & Fluency Drills

• Writing (✍️):

  • Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD)

  • Assistive Technology & Explicit Planning

• Visual: Icons for reading and writing alongside brief strategy descriptions.

Slide 6: Academic Supports: Math

• Math (➗):

  • C-R-A Sequence: Concrete (blocks) -> Representational (drawings) -> Abstract (numbers).

  • Direct Instruction on Foundational Skills

  • Structured Word Problem Strategies

• Visual: A simple graphic showing the three stages of C-R-A.

Slide 7: Behavioral & Social-Emotional Supports

• The FBA/BIP Process (😊):

  • FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment): Discovers the function of the behavior.

  • BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan): The individualized Tier 3 support plan to address it.

• Other Strategies: Social Stories, Check-In/Check-Out, Sensory Breaks.

• Visual: A simple flowchart: FBA -> BIP -> Implementation.

Slide 8: Executive Functioning Supports

• Time Management (⏱️): Visual timers, chunking tasks.

• Organization (🗂️): Color-coding, mandatory binder checks.

• Task Initiation: "First/Then" boards, Task Analysis sheets.

• Visual: Icons for time, organization, and a checklist.

Slide 9: The Team: Who Delivers Tier 3?

• Special Education Teacher (Case Manager)

• Related Service Providers (SLP, OT, PT, Psychologist)

• Paraprofessionals (Under Direct Supervision)

• Visual: Icons or photos representing each role.

Slide 10: Progress Monitoring: The Engine of Tier 3

• Quote: "Without data, you're just another person with an opinion."

• Key Points:

  • Frequency: Weekly or more.

  • Tools: CBMs, Probes, Tracking Sheets.

  • Goal: To make informed decisions about the student's program.

• Visual: A simple line graph showing student progress over time.

Slide 11: Case Study: Lucas, 4th Grade

• Disability: SLD in Reading (Dyslexia)

• IEP Goal: [Example goal from earlier]

• Tier 3 Supports:

  1. 30 mins daily Wilson, 1:1

  2. Audiobooks for content areas

  3. Modified assessments

  4. Twice-weekly fluency checks

• Visual: A photo of a student reading with a teacher (stock image).

Slide 12: Key Takeaways & Resources

• Tier 3 is individualized, intensive, and legally mandated by the IEP.

• It relies on specialized strategies and a collaborative team.

• Data from progress monitoring is essential for success.

• Resources:

  • IRIS Center

  • Understood.org

  • Your District's SPDG (State Personnel Development Grant) Website

Slide 13: Q&A / Thank You

• Title: Questions?

• Contact Information