Why Tier 1 Instruction is Collapsing: Unpacking the Clarity Issue

In recent discussions and surveys within the education community, one quote has sparked a firestorm of conversations: "If you have 800 students in tier two, you don't have an intervention problem; you have a tier one problem." The reaction to this statement highlighted the urgency of the issue and raised questions about the state of tier one instruction in our educational system. This blog post recaps my most viewed episode on YouTube and delves into the reasons behind the collapse of tier one instruction and explores how a lack of clarity might be at its core.

Defining Tiered Instruction:

Before jumping straight into the problems surrounding tier one instruction, it's important to establish a common understanding of what tiered instruction really is. Tier one instruction, often referred to as core instruction, should meet specific criteria: it should be research-based, implemented with integrity, aligned with grade-level standards, explicitly taught, differentiated, include flexible grouping, and encourage active student engagement. With this definition in mind, we can better assess the issues plaguing tier one instruction.

And the Survey Says:

To gain insight into the challenges surrounding tier one instruction, an anonymous survey was conducted among educators, primarily administrators and instructional leaders. The survey aimed to identify whether respondents believed tier one instruction was lacking or missing and what they considered the most significant contributors to this problem.

Survey Results:

• 7.6% believed tier one instruction was not lacking.
• 21% were unsure (maybe).
• 71.4% believed tier one instruction was indeed lacking.

The survey also revealed various factors contributing to the perceived lack of tier one instruction:

1. Lack of programs (20%)
2. Increase in behavioral concerns (58.1%)
3. Lack of parent involvement (31%)
4. Decrease in program quality (18%)
5. Insufficient teacher knowledge (82%)
6. Limited time for collaboration and planning (52%)
7. Increased student learner diversity (51%)
8. Decreased teacher motivation (10.4%)
9. Student learning gaps (14%)

The Clarity Problem:

While these survey results offer insights into the challenges educators face, they also underscore a more profound issue: a lack of clarity. This lack of clarity revolves around what teachers should know, what tier one instruction should encompass, and how to address the diverse needs of students effectively.

Clarity Precedes Capacity:

To address the tier one instruction crisis, we must recognize that clarity precedes capacity. Without clarity on what teachers need to know and how to provide it, efforts to improve tier one instruction will be ineffective. Building clarity requires change, not just in programs or curricula, but in people. To bring about this change, we need to establish a clear vision and focus on building capacity in educators.

A Human-Centered Approach:

As Rachel Gabriel aptly put it in her podcast episode with Jennifer Serravallo, "A human will outlast any material you buy, but only if you invest in them and build their capacity." Instead of relying on external solutions, invest in your educators' knowledge and understanding to address the tier one instruction problem effectively.

The Clarity Cycle:

To build clarity and capacity simultaneously, consider implementing a six-step Clarity Cycle:

1. Identify needs
2. Gain insight
3. Determine focus
4. Cast a vision
5. Script critical moves
6. Find and celebrate bright spots

This is a framework that will allow you to pinpoint the areas where clarity is needed, gain insight from educators, and collectively build a vision for improvement. The critical moves are then scripted to guide teachers and staff toward the desired outcomes, and successes are systematically celebrated to maintain momentum.

But this is more than just a framework. It's more than just a process. It's more than just a set of steps. The Clarity Cycle is a series of habits and mindsets that you can hone as an instructional leader that will benefit you and the people you serve for years to come. It is a cycle that can be used to address any challenge that arises.

Tier one instruction is one such challenge. The path to improvement lies in bringing clarity to educators. And the same is true for so many other challenges we may face. Remember, clarity precedes capacity, and it's the key to lasting change in our schools.