Tiered Reengagement Strategies

Tiered Reengagement Strategies

What Are Tiered Reengagement Strategies?

Tiered reengagement strategies are structured approaches schools use to reconnect with students who have disengaged from school — whether due to absenteeism, academic struggle, or social-emotional barriers. These strategies follow a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) model, offering different levels of intensity based on student need.

The goal is to bring students back into the classroom and community using the right support at the right time.

Why It Matters

Disengaged students are more likely to become chronically absent, drop out, or experience long-term academic setbacks. Tiered reengagement strategies allow schools to:

• Respond proactively based on student data
• Target resources efficiently
• Personalize supports that match the root cause of disengagement
• Prevent repeat disengagement
• Improve overall attendance and student success

Without a tiered approach, reengagement becomes reactive, inconsistent, or ineffective.

How Schools Use This Term in Practice

Districts often organize reengagement strategies by MTSS tiers:

Tier 1: Universal Reengagement Supports

Goal: Build belonging and boost connection for all students

Examples:

• Attendance campaigns (e.g., “Every Day Counts”)
• Daily welcome rituals or check-ins
• Climate-building events like assemblies or spirit days
• SEL lessons or advisories
• Positive attendance messaging

Tier 2: Targeted Reengagement Strategies

Goal: Support students with early signs of disengagement

Examples:

• Small group check-ins or mentoring
• Attendance success plans
• Engagement-focused parent conferences
• Reentry meetings after prolonged absence
• Incentives for improvement (e.g., streak tracking)

Tier 3: Intensive Reengagement Strategies

Goal: Reconnect students with complex or persistent disengagement

Examples:

• Home visits or family case management
• SARB/SART meetings with wraparound support
• Customized transition plans
• Mental health or community-based services
• 1:1 adult-student mentoring relationships

Tier 3 efforts are typically multi-agency, longer-term, and require coordination across teams.

What’s the Difference Between Reengagement and Intervention?

• Interventions are targeted supports to solve a problem (e.g., attendance success plan).
• Reengagement is about rebuilding connection and motivation — often after a breakdown.

A student may need both — but reengagement focuses on why a student shows up, not just whether they do.

Related Terms and Concepts

• MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) – The framework for tiered reengagement design
• Chronic Absenteeism – A key outcome tiered strategies aim to reduce
• Engagement Metrics – Help determine which students need Tier 2 or Tier 3 support
• Attendance Intervention – Often paired with reengagement work
• School Climate – A strong climate makes Tier 1 reengagement more effective

Example Scenario

A student in San Francisco Unified has missed 18 days of school. A Tier 1 attendance campaign hasn’t helped. A Tier 2 strategy — a success plan and weekly check-ins — leads to some improvement, but the student misses another 5 days. The school escalates to Tier 3: a home visit reveals housing instability, and the district coordinates temporary housing and transportation. The student returns and is supported with ongoing mentoring.

How Tiered Reengagement Strategies Impact Districts

Using a tiered model helps districts:

• Provide the right support at the right time
• Scale reengagement work across sites and staff
• Reduce reliance on punitive or one-size-fits-all approaches
• Improve attendance, retention, and student morale
• Document progressive steps before escalation to legal pathways

It also fosters better alignment between attendance, SEL, mental health, and academic supports.

How Are Schools Across the U.S. Building Tiered Reengagement Systems?

Districts are improving structure, tracking, and staff collaboration around reengagement:

1. MTSS-Aligned Playbooks
Schools define what Tier 1, 2, and 3 reengagement looks like — and who owns each step.

2. Reentry Protocols
Some districts build reengagement routines for students returning after long absences.

3. Team-Based Case Reviews
Cross-role teams review Tier 2 and Tier 3 cases weekly, adjusting supports as needed.

4. Equity-Focused Design
Reengagement strategies are designed with trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices.

5. Real-Time Tools
Districts use platforms like Nudge to track reengagement efforts and outcomes by tier and student group.

How Nudge Helps

Nudge helps districts operationalize tiered reengagement by making it easy to assign, track, and evaluate what’s working — and where more support is needed.

With Nudge, you can:

• Flag students based on attendance and engagement trends
• Assign Tier 1, 2, or 3 reengagement supports
• Track interventions, ownership, and outcomes
• Ensure follow-up and avoid drop-offs
• Measure which strategies are reengaging students across sites

When reengagement is structured, students return — and stay connected.

Want to Build a Tiered Reengagement System That Works?

See how Nudge helps schools reconnect with students using data-informed, personalized support — at every tier.