What action should a first grade teacher take if 75% of her students did not meet grade level expectations?

Choosing to consider improvements to Tier 1 instruction is necessary when a significant percentage of students are not meeting grade level expectations. Tier 1 instruction refers to the general teaching approach that is used for all students in a classroom. It is designed to be inclusive and effective for the majority, ensuring that the foundational skills and concepts are taught properly.

When 75% of students are struggling, it indicates that the current instructional methods may not be meeting the diverse needs of learners. By reviewing and enhancing Tier 1 instruction, the teacher can implement strategies that are more engaging, multimodal, or differentiated to cater to various learning styles and needs. This proactive approach helps to create a stronger foundational learning environment for all students, potentially increasing achievement across the board.

Increasing homework or reducing classroom size may not address the core issues of instructional effectiveness and may not result in improved outcomes. Similarly, offering individual tutoring is an important support, but it may not be practical or feasible for all students and does not resolve any overarching instructional deficiencies that need to be addressed at the Tier 1 level.