Understanding the Impact of Universal Tier 1 Supports for Students: A Meta-Analysis of Academic, Behavioral, Social, and Emotional Outcomes

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  In Roundtable Session: Classroom (Mis)management and the Ecologies of Place: The Role of Teachers in School Discipline

Abstract

Classroom-based Tier 1 interventions are foundational for supporting academic achievement, behavioral regulation, and social-emotional development among all students. This three-level meta-analysis synthesized 197 effect sizes from 36 randomized and quasi-experimental studies evaluating universal Tier 1 interventions implemented at the classroom level in preschool through Grade 12. Results showed small to moderate overall effects at the student (g = 0.30) and school levels (g = 0.34). Domain-specific analyses revealed moderate effects for reading achievement (g = 0.42), small effects for behavioral outcomes (g = 0.20), and minimal effects for social-emotional skills (g = 0.01), potentially due to limited sample size and variability in measurement. Findings highlight the promise of classroom-delivered Tier 1 practices in promoting student outcomes in multiple skill domains.

Author

• Yuemeng Wang, University of Connecticut