Tiered Interventions
Instruction for all students
Second Step® K–8 digital programs fit seamlessly into a multi-tiered system of supports, giving every student the right level of support—whether in whole-class lessons, in small groups, or with individualized support resources. Second Step Tiered Interventions align with the universal curriculum and help students develop the human skills they need to stay regulated, engaged, and ready to learn while strengthening classroom climate schoolwide.
Why Second Step® Tiered Interventions matter
Students grow at different rates, and core, universal instruction isn’t always enough. Second Step Tiered Interventions extend what schools are already doing well with universal supports by providing targeted, skill-based support for students who need more—without pulling them away from core learning. Second Step Tiered Interventions help educators:
- Provide targeted, small group support while keeping students connected to core classroom instruction
- Address challenges early, before they escalate
- Match students to the right level of support using screening and progress monitoring tools
- Strengthen schoolwide climate through consistent, aligned skill development
This keeps more students engaged, regulated, and ready to learn—directly improving school climate and academic momentum.
Targeted small group lessons
Offer students extra practice through short, focused lessons covering key human skills:
- Managing emotions, thoughts, and feelings
- Building positive relationships and prosocial skills
- Strengthening executive functioning, such as paying attention and following directions
Lessons are developmentally appropriate and available across grade bands.
Individual support resources
Provide additional support for individualized interventions through educator tools and resources that:
- Help personalize instruction
- Track student progress
Close skill gaps with behavior support tools and educator resources.
Assessment Toolkit
Support decisions with our simple, educator-friendly tools, including:
- A brief student screener (Grades 3–8)
- A teacher-report human skills rubric (Grades K–8)
- Implementation fidelity and student progress tracking tools
These resources help teams make informed decisions without adding unnecessary burden.
How Second Step® Tiered Interventions work in schools
1. Teach the Second Step® curriculum
2. Identify students who need more support
3. Provide targeted small group support
4. Monitor small group or individual progress and adjust as needed
Benefits of strong implementation
With consistent implementation, districts could see clear gains for students and classrooms:
- Fewer disruptions and smoother routines
- More positive teacher-student interactions
- Improved student engagement and belonging
- Safer, more supportive environments across classrooms and buildings
Second Step programs provide the tools districts and educators need to plan and deliver tiered interventions, to monitor progress, and to support effective implementation at scale so that more students get the targeted support they need.
See the tiered interventions we offer in select programs
Ready to learn more?
Explore our alignment charts or request a demo!
