The Comprehensive Integrated Three Tier Model of Prevention (CI3T) is designed to help students by giving a personalized experience to students who need extra help. 

“We have students at all different levels, and so we want to make sure that we’re helping where they need it, when they need it. Tier one is where everybody gets instruction,” WSD intervention coach Constance Hallemeier said. 

The goal is for 80% of students to fall into the first tier. Students in this category will receive quality instruction and curriculum; it is when teachers notice that some students are falling behind tier two will be enacted. 

“They do things in the classroom to help those students… Small group instruction, requesting students during Pack Time, test retakes, things like that are all tier two interventions,” assistant principal Keith Sanders, Timberland’s CI3T representative, said. 

Statistically, only 10 to fifteen percent of students will be included in this tier. Tier three will address 5 to 8% of students, serving those experiencing intense difficulties in school. According to Sharp School, examples of tier three could include multisystemic therapy and individualized scheduling to accommodate needs. 

“I think, overall, we see an improvement in all academic areas when they’re getting the support they need in a smaller group setting. We can see them learn those skills and apply them across all academic areas,” special education teacher Natalie DeYoung said. 

According to Hallemeier, the C13T model of prevention was selected, because it covers academic, cultural, social, emotional and behavioral needs. 

Sanders suggests that students who are struggling in school use a portion of their den time to catch up on work, as den time has been built into the schedule in accordance with the CI3T model.