Implementing the 3-Tier Reading Model: Reducing Reading Difficulties for Kindergarten Through Third Grade Students

A 3-Tier Reading Model incorporates the aspects of instruction shown by research to help students become successful readers. Students need data-driven*, differentiated reading instruction** that systematically and explicitly provides them with the foundational skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, and word study. Along with these skills, students must receive instruction in fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Implementing a 3-Tier Reading Model provides a framework for ensuring all students’ needs are met across these reading elements through core reading instruction and interventions.

Research indicates that early intervention-additional, targeted, and intensive reading instruction-is the key to preventing later reading difficulties. Students who have difficulties in the beginning stages of learning to read often fall further and further behind their peers.

Designed to be part of a workshop for Texas teachers of kindergarten through third grade students, these materials outline a 3-Tier response to intervention (RTI) framewok for reading instruction and provide information in how to implement such a framework in the classroom. Any educator involved in the implementation of a 3-Tier Model in reading can benefit from these materials.

*Data-driven instruction uses data from student assessments as well as other data sources to monitor student progress and to make informed instructional decisions.

**Differentiated instruction is varied within the same classroom to address each student’s abilities, inerests, and needs. Differentiated instruction is based on student data and includes targeted instruction for all students, especially struggling learners.

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