Tier 1 Instructional Support Model
Explanation: A classroom may receive Tier 1 instructional support when less than 80% of students meet grade
level expectations. Instructional support occurs when a general education teacher and an interventionist, which
may include the Special Education Teacher, Speech Therapist, Reading Specialist, and/or ENL teacher work
together to plan and deliver instruction to a diverse population in a general education setting.
Shared responsibilities for both teachers may include: planning, delivering instruction, adapting materials,
classroom management, communicating with parents and related service providers, accommodations, and
providing student feedback.
Benefits of instructional support for teachers include:
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easier to monitor students’ behavior
build relationships and opportunities for professional growth
provide more differentiated support during instructional activities
give more support to provide students’ accommodations
receive feedback from each other
provide peer collaboration and modeling to improve fidelity of instruction
provide more flexible grouping
cover content more effectively to support mastery learning
Benefits of instructional support for students include:
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access to the general education curriculum
more instructional support
additional opportunities for differentiated instruction, guided practice and direct instruction
learning from peers
more opportunities for social interactions
increased respect and understanding for all students
Instructional support options with the classroom (based on co-teach models): It is highly recommended that
a combination of the following approaches be implemented (see graphic on page 2):
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One Teaching, One Observing - One instructs, the other gathers data to further plan instruction and
revise Tier 1 ISPs.
One Teach, One Assist - One instructs, the other provides support throughout the room
Station Teaching – Students are broken into groups, both teachers provide instruction/support in
learning stations as needed, then rotate groups
Parallel Teaching – Students are divided into two groups. Each group is led by a teacher delivering the
same content but differentiated.
Alternative Teaching – Each teacher works with differentiated group(s). Groups should be fluid, with
opportunities for each teacher to work with all students.
Teaming – Both teachers facilitate discussion and provide instruction to the whole class
Recommendations for a successful instructional support model:
 Predetermine your philosophy and goals within teaching
 Set up your classroom environment so both teachers have equal space and materials
 Organize student data (such as grades and other data), located in one place
 Planning time together
 Parity
Planning- An ongoing process throughout the school year- this can and should occur prior to the start of the
school year, at regular intervals during the instructional support period, following class/student assessments and
data review, after direct instruction, and as student concerns arise.
Parity- BOTH teachers should be viewed as equals among the school community as classroom teachers. Parity
will be accomplished once both teachers share roles and responsibilities within the classroom during their
instructional support period. Examples of parity include: teachers’ names throughout the classroom and on
paperwork, as well as sharing workload with planning, preparing materials, providing feedback to students,
working with ALL students, and communication/collaborating with parents and related service providers.
Additional Opportunities for Tier 1 Instructional Support:
 Coaching cycles
 Modeling best practices (coaches, peers)
 Tier 1 Informal Fidelity Checks (with feedback and collaboration)
 Grade level PLCs
 Data Teaming
 Tier 1 instruction and support from district Speech Therapist(s) - Kindergarten
 Peer collaboration/planning
 Observation, collaboration and feedback from School Psychologists, Social Workers, Behavioral
Specialists, Occupational/Physical Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and ENL teachers
Keep in mind…Each member brings value to your team. Make sure you keep open lines of
communication and collaborate often in order to develop and maintain a successful instructional support
model