In districts across the country, leaders are under growing pressure to ensure that every student—across every school—is supported by strong, equitable, and sustainable systems. At the foundation of this work is Tier 1: the universal supports that impact all students every day.

But how do you know if your Tier 1 systems are truly effective? Where are the gaps—and how can teams build coherence across buildings and grade levels? That’s where the Tier 1 Rubrics come in. These tools go beyond evaluation. They offer a district-aligned, action-oriented framework to assess, strengthen, and scale Tier 1 implementation at both the school and system levels.

These five rubrics aren’t just checklists. They’re collaborative problem-solving tools designed to guide school leadership teams in assessing, aligning, and sustaining strong Tier 1 practices. Whether your team is launching Tier 1 systems for the first time or refining what’s already in place, these rubrics offer a shared language, clear expectations, and a structure for action.

Let’s break down each rubric and explore why they’re so crucial to whole-school success.

1. Shared Clarity Rubric: Building a Unified Vision

What it does:
This rubric helps evaluate how clearly the goals, expectations, and purpose of Tier 1 are understood by all stakeholders—leaders, staff, and families.

Why it matters:
Without shared clarity, even the best strategies can fall flat. When everyone is aligned in their understanding, it becomes easier to collaborate, implement practices with fidelity, and stay focused on the “why” behind Tier 1. This rubric ensures your community is rowing in the same direction.

2. Tier 1 Leadership Team (TILT) Rubric: Strengthening the Engine Room

What it does:
Assesses the effectiveness and functioning of the school’s Tier 1 Leadership Team—looking at roles, collaboration, logistics, and the team’s capacity to guide and sustain implementation.

Why it matters:
Strong Tier 1 systems don’t run themselves. Behind every successful implementation is a dynamic leadership team. This rubric ensures your TILT is equipped, empowered, and consistently problem-solving to move the work forward.

3. Systems That Support Implementation Rubric: Laying the Foundation

What it does:
Examines the structural supports behind the scenes—like protected planning time, coaching, access to resources, fidelity monitoring, and ongoing professional development.

Why it matters:
You can’t implement what isn’t supported. This rubric reveals critical gaps in your infrastructure, helping teams put the right scaffolding in place so that Tier 1 efforts are sustainable and scalable.

4. Core Tier 1 Practices Rubric: Measuring What Matters Most

What it does:
Evaluates the consistency and effectiveness of core Tier 1 practices, with a focus on how they impact student engagement and success.

Why it matters:
At the heart of every Tier 1 system are the everyday practices happening in classrooms and across schoolwide settings. This rubric helps ensure those practices aren’t just happening—but happening well, with positive results for students.

5. Tier 1 Student Outcome Evaluation Rubric: Data That Drives Opportunity

What it does:
Guides teams in how they gather, interpret, and act on student outcome data. It emphasizes disaggregating data to see which system is working for—and who it’s not.

Why it matters:
If we’re not examining data, we’re not truly improving. This rubric ensures your Tier 1 work is responsive, student-centered, and continuously evolving based on real evidence—not assumptions.

From Rubrics to Results

When used together, these five rubrics don’t just diagnose—they inspire action. They invite leadership teams to reflect, align, and build stronger systems over time. Most importantly, they ensure every student is seen, supported, and set up for success.

If you're ready to level up your school’s Tier 1 implementation, download the rubrics and start the conversation with your team. These tools aren’t just for evaluation—they're for transformation.

 Access the Tier 1 Rubrics & Scoring Sheet