Tier 2 instruction is targeted, supplemental support provided to students who are not making adequate progress with Tier 1 instruction alone. These students are typically identified through universal screening, progress monitoring, and teacher observations. Tier 2 serves approximately 10–15% of students and focuses on addressing specific skill gaps through small-group instruction or targeted interventions.

This level of support is designed to be more intensive and frequent than Tier 1, but it remains aligned with the core curriculum to ensure coherence. Tier 2 interventions are research-based and data-driven, tailored to the needs of the students, and regularly monitored to evaluate their effectiveness. Educators use formative assessment data to adjust instruction as needed and to determine when students may transition back to Tier 1 or require more intensive Tier 3 support.

While Tier 2 instruction supplements rather than replaces Tier 1, it is critical in preventing further academic struggles and helping students close skill gaps before they widen. Collaboration among teachers, interventionists, and support staff ensures that interventions are implemented with fidelity and that student progress is closely tracked.