Tiered Literacy Instruction
Tier I, Tier II (FhOSS) and Tier III Reading Instruction.
Our TIER II (FhOSS) program is part of the Response to Intervention (RTI) process. Response to Intervention is an approach to academic intervention to provide early, systematic, and appropriately intensive assistance to children underperforming as compared to grade- or age- level standards. RTI promotes academic success through universal screening, early intervention, frequent progress monitoring, and increasingly intensive research based instruction or interventions for children who continue to have difficulty. We utilize these processes through our FhOSS program in the area of literacy.
Your child may or may not receive FhOSS or TIER III services throughout the year based on the universal screening used here at the elementary - DIBELS. Our screenings are done three times throughout the year. If the student qualifies for additional reading support, they are then screened to see where the skill deficit is and receives instruction on this specific skill. As the student masters this skill, they then move onto the next skill or are removed from FhOSS when they have reached their benchmark goals. Students are not “missing out” of classroom instruction. They are getting additional literacy instruction. FhOSS provides students with an additional 30 minutes of reading instruction daily. TIER III provides students with an additional 60 minutes of reading instruction daily as these students will receive both FhOSS (30 min) and Tier III (30 min) instruction
As we continue with this process to assist students in developing strong literacy skills, students will change groups regularly to be certain they are getting the instruction needed. Students are provided instruction by our teachers, reading specialists, Americorp personnel and para-professionals. All of which have received professional development and have been trained on research and evidence based programming. Our Americorp and para-professional staff are trained and mentored by the reading specialists to ensure quality instruction is provided to all students. Because of the number of staff we have available to provide FhOSS services, groups are no larger than 5 student to provide more individualized instruction.
Classroom instruction is considered TIER I or core instruction and that is where the bulk of all literacy instruction is presented. Classrooms are either using Heggerty, Kilpatrick, or ECRI (Enhanced Core Racing Instruction). These programs are used to increase phonics, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary and comprehension skills as part of the core reading program. All students receive TIER I instruction. The resources being used in Tiers I, II, and III are all research based and staff have been provided professional development related to each program.
Notice will be sent home if your child is receiving this service to start the school year. As groups change throughout the year, so may the teachers. Because groups change so frequently and fluidly, you may not be notified of the change in groups. The following are FhOSS and TIER III contacts by grade level:
Kindergarten: Dianna Hupkovich [email protected]
Grade 1: Bonnie Nadonley [email protected]
Grade 2: Matt Brilhart [email protected]
Grade 3: Mindy Jani [email protected]
The Tiered Triangle pictured is associated with the model Forest Hills Elementary uses for identifying and providing support to students. If you have any questions regarding Title I programming, please call Mr. Jacobs, Director of Federal Programs at 814-487-7613 ext. 3249. If you have questions regarding your child’s progress in FhOSS, please contact the grade level teacher listed above or myself at (814) 487-7613.
