What are the three tiers in the RTI model?

• A. Tier 1 Basic; Tier 2 Moderate; Tier 3 Severe
• B. Tier A, Tier B, Tier C
• C. Tier 1 Universal Interventions; Tier 2 Individualized Interventions; Tier 3 Intensive Interventions
• D. Tier 1 Local; Tier 2 Regional; Tier 3 National

Answer: (C)

The model uses three levels of supports that escalate based on how students respond to instruction. At the first level, instruction is universal for all students in the general education setting, backed by high-quality teaching, universal screening, and ongoing progress monitoring to catch issues early. When some students don’t show adequate progress with this core instruction, they move to the second level, which provides targeted, small-group interventions designed to address specific skills gaps beyond what the general curriculum offers. If students continue to struggle despite Tier 2 supports, they access the third level—intensive, individualized interventions, often one-on-one, with frequent progress monitoring and data-based decision making; this tier may lead to additional evaluations if needed.

This setup corresponds to Universal Interventions at Tier 1, Individualized Interventions at Tier 2, and Intensive Interventions at Tier 3. Other choices don’t reflect the established framework of escalating, data-driven supports across universal, targeted, and intensive levels.