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Response To Intervention

Response to intervention (RTI) is data-driven instruction that is implemented in both the general education classroom and specialized resource rooms. It is designed to maximize the achievement of all students, regardless of where they are at within the educational framework.

response to intervention

There are growing federal requirements to raise the quality of school instructional programs. One requirement is that classroom instructional processes and academic interventions be shown to be effective as indicated by quality research.

This is particularly important with math intervention programs and early reading intervention programs. It is also used to identify and progress monitor difficulties with different types of communication in the classroom.

The purpose of response to intervention is to catch struggling students very early and provide high-quality instruction and academic interventions that are matched to the student's specific needs.

RTI uses learning rate over time and level of performance to drive educational decision making.

RTI is also used to monitor the effectiveness of behavior intervention plans and ADHD interventions.

Some key features of RTI are:

Begins with high quality instruction for all students in all classrooms (Tier 1)

It is designed to be both preventative and proactive

Uses assessment in education (data) to drive decision making

Is highly dependent on progress monitoring that begins with a universal screener of all students

Interventions are systematically applied from research and evidence-based best practices

Intervention plans are designed, implemented and monitored by a group of professionals

Response to intervention (RTI) has been around in one form or another for years. The difference now is that educators have to be more accountable and show that we are using data-driven instructional best practices and that we are implementing them consistently and with integrity. That's not a bad thing.

Be cautious though, that you do not get so caught up in data that you forget the child!

Click here for Technology Tools for Struggling Students

A common use of RTI is to help determine the use of reading intervention programs. We know that early reading intervention is critical for success.

After giving a universal screener (such as DIBELS), the data is reviewed and decisions are made, often within a 3 Tier Model.

The 3 Tier Model

Tier 1
*This is excellent classroom teaching
*80-90% of students should have their needs met in Tier 1
*90 minutes of core instruction per day - every day!
*Data indicates students need enrichment, are below expected benchmark, or are progressing as expected

Tier 2
*5-10% of all students may need Tier 2 interventions
*90 minutes core instruction + 25-30 additional minutes of targeted intense research/evidence-based interventions
*Small group (ratio of 1:5 or less)
*Progress monitoring - minimum bi-weekly

Tier 3
*1-5% of all students who continue to fall below the aim line after receiving Tier 2 interventions
*90 minutes core instruction + 50 additional minutes per day of targeted intense research/evidence-based interventions
*Very small, homogenous group instruction (1:3)
*Progress monitoring - minimum weekly

After Tier 3 is when the professional team will review documented interventions and progress monitoring data to determine if there is a need for an MFE (multi-factored evaluation) for a specific disability. In most cases, there should be at least 12 weeks worth of data that show little to no growth along the expected aim line. Be aware that the pattern of the student's progress can also indicate attention problems as well as reading issues.

Remember: The goal of RTI is NOT to get a child into special education. It is to meet that child's needs and show growth.

There are many evidence-based strategies, techniques and programs that can be used for Response to Intervention. Click here for some Suggested Tiered Reading Interventions and links that can be implemented based on data gathered through DIBELS or PALS universal screenings.

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