As more schools use MTSS as the framework for implementing the science of reading, questions arise about the characteristics of the tiers of instruction.

Here are a few FAQs about Tier 2 intervention.

1. What Is The Purpose of Tier 2?

Tier 2 is:

• provided to the small group of students who are still at risk after the provision of effective Tier 1 instruction
• designed to accelerate learning
• aimed at catching students up to grade-level reading goals

2. How Is Tier 2 Defined?

The characteristics of Tier 2 include:

• small group
• in addition to, not instead of, Tier 1 instruction
• 3-5 times per week
• 30-45 minutes per day
• explicit, systematic, research-aligned instruction, delivered by a trained instructor
• focused on eliminating skill deficits
• frequent progress monitoring so intervention can be changed if it isn't working
• planned by a grade-level or school-level planning team using screening and diagnostic assessment data

3. How Is Tier 2 Different From Tier 1?

Tier 2 is more intensive,...

Early literacy screening is one of the most important educational technologies available today. I believe districts are not taking advantage of the full opportunity available in universal screening when they choose to use Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs).

What is a CAT?

A CAT is essentially an achievement test that is used to identify risk status. Students take the test on a computer. The test includes many, many items that have been ordered from easy to hard. Students are first presented with items somewhere in the middle of the difficulty scale, or at a place indicated by their grade level, or perhaps based on a previous test score.

When the student responds correctly to an item or items, they are presented with more difficult items, based on the performance of other students who previously took the test. When the student responds incorrectly to an item, they are presented with easier items. Each student has their own unique path through the assessment.

The computer software does a...