Drawing from decades of experience in literacy, school psychology, systems-level leadership, and MTSS implementation, Dr. Sarah Brown and Dr. Kimberly Gibbons explain why strong universal instruction is the true foundation of student success.

They explore what Tier 1 actually includes, why intervention alone cannot solve widespread literacy struggles, and how leadership, collaboration, fidelity, coaching, and systems-thinking all work together to improve outcomes for students.

Key Takeaways:

1. What Tier 1 really means inside an MTSS framework
2. Why MTSS is about resources and systems, not “Tier 2 kids” or “Tier 3 kids”
3. Why buying a new curriculum alone won’t solve literacy problems
4. The role of leadership in sustaining effective instruction
5. The importance of job-embedded coaching and ongoing support
6. Why fidelity data matters (...and why it shouldn’t feel punitive)
7. How collaborative teams build consensus and instructional coherence
8. The power of strong questioning to uncover root causes
9. Why prevention through effective Tier 1 instruction is more powerful than over-relying on intervention
10. Practical first steps schools can take immediately to strengthen instruction

Resources:

1. Book: Effective Universal Instruction: An Action-Oriented Approach to Improving Tier 1 by Sarah Brown & Kimberly Gibbons
2. Book: MTSS for Reading Improvement by Stephanie Stollar & Sarah Brown from Solution Tree (or on Amazon)

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Connect with Dr. Sarah Brown:

1. Website: https://systemimpactconsulting.com/
2. Contact Dr. Sarah Brown on her Website
3. LinkedIn: Sarah Brown Ph.D.
4. Join Dr. Brown’s MTSS Data Academy
5. Dr. Brown also offers Virtual Coaching Sessions!

Connect with Dr. Kimberly Gibbons:

1. CAREI Director
2. CAREI at the University of Minnesota

This podcast is brought to you by Reading Science Academy, where our friend Stephanie Stollar is giving Literacy in Color listeners an exclusive, free grouping resource bundle to help you turn fall screening data into skill-based groups that actually move students forward.

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Connect with Michelle:

1. Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
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5. Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
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Mentioned in this episode:

SOR Summer Book Study

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Reading Science Academy

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