Tier 1 UniversalStart here
Classroom strategies for every student. Start here.
Teach and post clear expectations
Define 3–5 positive expectations, teach them like academic content, and refer to them all day.
Precorrection
Remind students of the expectation just before the moment they’re likely to struggle.
Proximity and nonverbal cues
Redirect quietly by moving closer, making eye contact, or using a prearranged signal.
Movement breaks
Build short, structured movement into lessons so students don’t have to find their own.
Calm-down space
A quiet spot in the room where students can go briefly to regulate, then return to learning.
Tier 2 Targeted
Extra structure for students who need more.
Self-monitoring
Teach the student to track their own behavior on a simple checklist at set times.
Individual token or reward system
The student earns tokens or points for a target behavior and trades them for chosen rewards.
Social skills group
Small-group lessons that directly teach and practice specific social skills.
Coping and emotion-regulation skills
Explicitly teach the student to notice feelings and use a calming strategy before they escalate.
Tier 3 Intensive
Individualized, team-based support.
No strategies at this tier yet.