RTI: A School-Wide Prevention System

Response to Intervention (RtI) came about initially in answer to the over-identification of struggling students as special education students. It was developed starting in the late 1970s by numerous researchers seeking a method of identifying learning disabilities that avoids the problems of the discrepancy model. Many educators were concerned that too many students were being identified as having a learning disability, not because they actually had one, “but because they had not been successful in a general education program” (Prasse, 2010). Many were also concerned that students with a true learning disability were not receiving the help they needed quickly enough. Before RtI, the accepted

As in any research based program there are benefits and challenges. One of the biggest benefits of RTI is it has the ability to transform how we educate all students. When implementing Response to Intervention it helps to treat learning disabilities, identifies students with disabilities, classifies every student’s strengths and targets the specific disability. Perhaps the greatest benefit of an RTI approach is that it eliminates a “wait to fail” situation because students get help promptly within the general education setting. As soon as assessment data indicates a problem area for a student, interventions are put into place to address these concerns. One of the biggest challenges that are occurring is that RTI is still uneven; some districts use it and some do not and because of this it becomes a challenge. There is confusion as to what RTI is and whether schools are required to use. In addition, the evidence based and differentiated instruction is one of the issues in response to education. “Interventions that are research based but not feasible are not likely to be implemented with fidelity, which would undercut the validity of RTI decision making” (Kubiszyn & Borich, 2010,

This three-tier RTI system is wonderful at the early stages of education because it allows teachers to identify at-risk students and move them through the intervention process. However, in the later stages, it is often too late to evaluate students for learning disabilities as these should have been recognized early on in a child’s education. It should be noted that students at this stage do still need interventions, but in a different format.

Over the last decade, school administrators began implementing the RTI program at a rapid pace. This implementation was inspired by President Bush’s reauthorization of IDEA, which identified RTI as a viable way to qualify students for special education (Fuchs & Fuchs, 2007, p. 14). Fuchs and Fuchs (2007) defined RTI as a three tiered system of education. There has been research completed to show RTI was a reliable systems, but it is an open ended systems. The designers of the RTI program have left several of the specifics for individual administers to determine for their districts. While the open framework granted administrators leeway to alter the program, this also leads to questions about

Response to Intervention (RTI) is an in school service program designed to guarantee that all students are getting a high quality education. Before students are referred for special education services, it is essential that they receive effective teaching designed to meet their own learning requirements. All students in public schools are required to be included in the RTI program.

Response to Intervention (RtI) is a “data-driven and structured procedure for analyzing students’ learning problems” (Friend 49). The purpose of RtI is to use a systematic approach of increasing interventions for students in order to determine if a student has a learning disability. IRtI is a great program for school to use to help students but it is not mandated by IDEA.

Response to Intervention (RTI), is an early detection, prevention, and support system that attempts to identify and assist struggling students with appropriate levels of intervention. This strategy may determine if a student based on their time prior in Tier 3, would be qualified for special education with a qualification of learning disability. The RTI has three tiers which allows a teacher to monitor their student’s progress during instructions. The three levels of the RTI are explained through an article called, “Understanding Response to Intervention”, which states:

Teams can gather data from common assessments, help find areas of need, and to be able to create interventions groups or other plans to combine forces and support the student’s various needs. When it comes to using RTI information to make a placement and making eligibilities for individuals with exceptionalities. Using the data that is collected through the various instructional and interventions efforts throughout the tiers, teams are able to identify strengths and weaknesses that help determine the accommodations and modifications for the student. When it comes to communicating the RTI results to the team member, having the data organized and documented is

Response to Intervention (RtI) is a framework based off the problem solving method that integrates assessment, and targeted instruction, within a multi-tiered intervention system. Implementation of RtI in schools is crucial to identify which students need additional intervention that will help increase their literacy skills, and prevent them from falling behind. RtI is based off multi-leveled tiers that are each categorized by the intensity of the intervention that is being used. The RtI framework is also used as a valued tool in monitoring and improving student behavior in the classroom through a model known as Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS).

In this webinar the presenters focus on ELLs and RTI. The first key word is the evidence based assessment and curriculum. The focus of RTI is preventions and maximizing student’s achievement and students are growing academically. The goals are for all students to meet their highest potential and use general education. Sheltered instruction is part of the core curriculum. The core curriculum is meeting at least 80% on each sub group.

Parents play a huge role in the RTI process. The ASCA National Model (2012) tells us that the “parent must feel welcomed at the school and that their voice is valued” (p. 17). The purpose of RTI is to determine what students are struggling academically or behaviorally, and provide intervention. It is the job of the RTI team to determine if the interventions are successfully working (ASCA National Model, 2012, p. 73). Most parents want what’s best for their child, which includes a successful and positive school experience. Parental involvement is essential, because they can provide extra support at home to help their struggling student. For example, I had a student last year who was on the third-tier of the RTI process.

The next article I researched was bout potential implementations for 3rd grade students who were identified as learning disabled. This article talked about how RTI’s are the front running alternatives to placing a student in special education. Interventionists, who were undergrad special education teacher candidates, used RTI approach on 3rd grade children with reading disabilities. The

Response to intervention (RTI) in my words is a three tiered system designed to provide more intensive instruction for students who need additional help or additional supports. RTI is set up to help students with learning or behavioral problems. In addition RTI benefits students who are gifted and talented by providing instruction that is beyond them and pushing them to think harder. RTI is a three tiered system. The first tier (Tier 1) is when students are given basic intervention supports in a general classroom.

RTI is unique, because it’s a set of interventions for students who are struggling academically.

In addition, to the approaches problem, there comes an assessment problem. The main piece of RTI is to progress monitor and assess your student’s growth. For CCSS, the only way to assess