Tier II Basics

Schools are charged with the challenge of addressing the complex social and academic needs of an increasingly diverse student body, while simultaneously facing reductions in funding, resources, and personnel. Schools are in need of effective and efficient behavioral support strategies to meet the needs of a wide range of students. Although Tier I strategies are essential to prevent many challenging behaviors, some students may require additional intervention and support. Tier II interventions are one mechanism for providing the additional support within an MTSS framework. This chapter defines the critical features of Tier II interventions and provides guidelines for implementing a range of interventions. The chapter also addresses issues related to the transition from Tier I to Tier II.