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Maryland’s 3-Tiered Instructional and PBIS framework

Maryland’s 3-Tiered Instructional and PBIS Framework

The Maryland Tiered Instructional and PBIS Framework organizes a continuum of evidence-based practices in which students experience instructional or behavioral supports that are based on their responsiveness to intervention. This three-tiered prevention logic requires that all students receive instructional and/or behavioral supports at the universal/green tier.

For students who are not responsive, more intensive instructional and/or behavioral supports are provided. Approximately 5-10% of the students will benefit from a small group targeted (yellow) intervention. An additional 1-5% may require a highly individualized intensive instructional and/or behavioral plan (red). The percentages are research-based estimates that represent the number of students who may require group or individual instructional and/or behavioral interventions within a school environment.

Maryland Tiered Instructional and PBIS Framework
Academic Systems   Behavioral Systems

(1-5%) Intensive, Individually Designed Interventions

  • Address individual needs of student.
  • Assessment-based.
  • High intensity.
 3-tiered framework chart for PBIS

(1-5%) Intensive, Individually Designed Interventions

  • Strategies to address needs of indivudual students with intensive needs.
  • Function-based assessments.
  • Intense, durable strategies.

(5-10%) Targeted, Group Interventions

  • Small, needs-based groups for at-risk students who do not respond to universal strategies.
  • High efficiency.
  • Rapid response.

(5-10%) Targeted, Group Interventions

  • Small, needs-based groups for at-risk students who do not respond to universal strategies.
  • High efficiency/Rapid response.
  • Function-based logic.

(80-90%) Core Curriculum and Universal Interventions

  • All students.
  • Preventive, proactive.
  • School-wide or classroom systems for all students.

(80-90%) Core Curriculum and Universal Interventions

  • All settings, all students.
  • Preventive, proactive.
  • School-wide or classroom systems for all students and staff.