Alison Lord

3-Tier Model of Mathematics Instruction

Tier 1
Tier 2

Tier 3

Where does
instruction of
students in this
tier occur?
Who provides
the instruction
for this tier?

In the general
education classroom.

In the general
education classroom,
before and/or after
school programs,
summer programs.

Specialized
instructional setting
within the school

Highly qualified
classroom teachers,
ongoing PD.

Classroom teacher
with support from a
504 specialist, special
ed. teacher, or ESL
endorsed teacher.
Ongoing PD.

What students
receive
instruction in
this tier?

All students receive

instruction.

Students whose needs

are not met through
tier 1 instruction.

Elementary math
intervention specialist,
special education
teacher, ESL endorsed
teacher with a math
endorsement. Ongoing
PD.
Students who have not
responded successfully
to tier 2 instruction. A
small percentage of
students who have
severe deficiencies in
specific skills.

How much time

should be
scheduled for
this tier?

At least one hour per

day (1/4 of the
Kindergarten day)

Four to five times per

week, for an additional
15-20 minutes beyond
Tier 1 instruction

Minimum of 20-30
minutes daily in
addition to tier 1
instruction.

What type of
instruction
takes place at
this tier?

Whole class instruction

of core grade-level
math concepts.
Differentiated
instruction. Guided
practice. Use of
physical, visual,
abstract
representations,
manipulatives, etc.

Targeted, systematic,
explicit instruction.
Differentiated in small
groups, including
explicit connections
between physical,
visual and abstract
representations.

Explicit, intense,
targeted instruction of
specific conceptual
components for either
individuals or small
groups. Use of
manipulatives, guided
practice. Methods that
explicitly link concepts
with physical, visual
and abstract
representations.

Read Utahs 3-Tier model at

http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/mathelem
At the bottom, select Utahs 3-Tier Model for Mathematics Instruction