Rochester Public Schools -

Tier 3 instruction offers personalized and intensive support tailored to students who need substantial help to meet grade-level expectations, often being a year or more behind. This level of instruction is also for students who benefit from significantly increased instructional intensity to achieve adequate progress beyond what Tier 2 can offer. The goal of Tier 3 is to support students in catching up to grade-level standards through targeted, intensive, and explicit instruction that addresses specific skills and the underlying root causes.

What distinguishes Tier 3 from Tier 2 interventions is that Tier 3 interventions are more individualized through a process of diagnostic testing, frequent progress monitoring to evaluate response to instructional intensification, and personalized support tailored for groups typically consisting of 1-3 students. This approach ensures that each student receives targeted interventions aligned with their specific learning needs and progress. Similar to Tier 2, interventions at this level are provided in addition to other supports (universal core and strategic support) and not in replacement of. Tier 3 interventions are evidence-based and are determined by the specific need the student demonstrates. Refer to the Data-Based Decision Making section of this manual for information on how Tier 3 intensive interventions are matched to students’ needs. 

At Rochester Public Schools students who require general education individualized intensive instruction AND students receiving special education services can be supported with Tier 3 instruction. Special education services are directly tied to a student’s identified area of disability and the subsequent Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  Students may receive support entirely within general education interventions, special education services, or a combination of the two depending on the area of need.