Upside Down or Right Side Up?

MTSS Monday: Flipping the Script — From Upside-Down to Right-Side-Up with Tier 1

A few months ago, I visited a school that had made a remarkable shift. A few years before this visit, over 80% of students were not performing on grade level—a classic “upside-down triangle” scenario. The academic and behavioral needs felt overwhelming.

So, what did they do? 

✅ Built a strong teaming structure

✅ Used data-based decision-making

✅ Provided ongoing professional learning

✅ Selected high-quality instructional resources

✅ Fostered student, family, and community relationships 

✅ Focused on solutions to barriers

✅ Maintained commitment to clearly established goals

✅ Adapted to meet the needs of students

Fast forward to today: Over 80% of students are meeting grade-level expectations in Tier 1. The strong universal instruction allows the school to implement Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions in more focused and effective ways—providing targeted, supplemental support through Tier 2 and individualized, intensive support in Tier 3.

When I asked the principal how they achieved such growth, the response was powerful:

 “We never considered an upside-down mentality. We operated as a right-side-up triangle and really focused on Tier 1 instruction - while supporting what our students and staff needed.”

This school’s success is a reminder: Strong Tier 1 instruction is the foundation of an effective MTSS system. While simultaneously improving Tier 1 instruction, it’s essential to ensure that students who need additional support still have access to targeted Tier 2 and intensive Tier 3 interventions in a supportive learning environment.

A strong Tier 1 makes Tier 2 and Tier 3 more effective—because fewer students need intensive support. It’s about flipping the script: Building a system where success starts with every student, every day, in every classroom.

💬 What’s working in your Tier 1 efforts? Have questions or insights? Share them in the comments! Let’s learn together.

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#Tier1First 

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#EducationalLeadership

Essential Features of Tier 1

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