An essential resource for teachers, administrators, RtI teams, and Professional Learning Communities who want to make RtI work for all students. The great promise of RtI is the potential to reach and teach all students. That promise becomes a reality when the heart of an RtI system is a well-designed, Tier 1 program taught by well-prepared teachers who recognize the power of data to inform instruction. When all students receive good first instruction in such a system, the number of referrals for intervention goes down, proficient students maximize their learning, and gifted students grow intellectually. Drawing on their experience with hundreds of educators, the authors offer a step-by-step process for constructing a strong Tier 1 curriculum, identifying the essentials of data-driven instruction, and analyzing instructional strategies that lead to good first instruction for all students. Real world examples and hands-on activities in every chapter help educators to: Realize the importance of a standards-based, logically sequenced Tier 1 curriculum to help students learn Understand the power of data to inform instruction before, during, and after teaching Recognize the relationship between cognitive preparation for teaching and student achievement Employ effective instructional practices Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a school or district RtI system Without strong Tier 1 instruction RtI will become a system of never-ending interventions rather than excellent first instruction. Drawing on their experience with hundreds of educators, the authors offer a step-by-step process for constructing a strong Tier 1 curriculum, identifying the essentials of data-driven instruction, and analyzing instructional strategies that lead to good first instruction for all students. Real world examples and hands-on activities in every chapter help educators to: - Realize the importance of a standards-based, logically sequenced Tier 1 curriculum to help students learn - Understand the power of data to inform instruction before, during, and after teaching - Recognize the relationship between cognitive preparation for teaching and student achievement - Employ effective instructional practices - Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a school or district RtI system Without strong Tier 1 instruction, RtI will become a system of never-ending interventions rather than excellent first instruction.