> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.hflow.pro/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tiers

> Assessment tiers in hFlow: codes, meaning, and display.

This page explains how hFlow assigns reading tiers from assessment scores and how tier labels appear in the product. Tier **bands** themselves are configured per language under [Languages](/hflow/languages).

## What tiers mean

Tier codes (**Tier 1–3**) are **not** the same thing as ACTFL proficiency levels tracked on assessments. For a short primer on ACTFL wording and where hFlow uses ACTFL-aligned fields. See [ACTFL proficiency scale (overview)](/hflow/actfl-proficiency-scale).

Tiers summarize reading performance for a **scheduled** assessment using your org’s tier rules (accuracy and fluency bands) for that **school year**, **grade**, **language**, and period (**BOY**, **MOY**, or **EOY**). Tier **1** is strongest and tier **3** indicates the most intensive support. The app stores labels exactly as **Tier 1**, **Tier 2**, or **Tier 3**. Show that text without adding another “Tier” prefix in the UI.

## Per-assessment tier vs overall tier

Each assessment row has its **own** tier from that row’s scores and the tier definitions for the year of that enrollment (**student year**). If a student has more than one enrollment year, each year’s assessments use that year’s tier configuration.

Some programs record **several reading passages** for the same period (for example, multiple EOY passages). Each passage keeps its own tier in the database. **Gradebook-style summaries** may show **median** fluency and accuracy across those passages; the tier pill on that summary is based on those **displayed** median numbers, not on a single passage alone. Rosters and **overall** placement still use the **most conservative** tier among the passages for that period (the higher tier number).

## Who can change what you see

Tier **rules** (cut scores) are configured by org admins in tier settings. Tier values on individual assessments update when scores change or when someone runs **Refresh tier assignments** on the Assessments page (for example after rule changes).