Screening – Data-Based Decision Making – Multi-Level Prevention System – Progress Monitoring

What is RTI? It is a multi-level preventive system whose aim is to help all students achieve to their highest potential.

How is a child identified for these services? Schools identify students who are at risk based on various indicators such as classroom performance, classroom assessments, district assessments and state assessment results.

How is student progress measured? Students are regularly monitored through tools that can provide evidence of the student’s level of response and measure the results of the interventions in place. Based on the student’s level of response he or she is then moved through the Tiers. If students fail to respond to the interventions, the student may have a learning disability that requires further evaluation.

What happens in Tier I? This is the first line of defense. Its aim is prevention.  Students at this level are being served in the general education classroom within their core curriculum.  It includes Universal Screening to determine the student’s current level of performance. Differentiated learning activities, such as small focus group instruction or peer tutoring that target the student’s individual need. It also could include accommodations to insure the student’s access to the core instruction. It could also include strategies and tools to help problem solve issues such as behavior issues that are interfering with the student’s acquisition of learning.  

What happens in Tier 2? This level of support involves adult-led small-group instruction that targets a particular area of need and is being addressed through evidence-based interventions that clearly specify the level of services, the intensity and the particular skill being targeted and for what period of time.

What happens in Tier 3? This level of support is the most intensive and it is usually individualized instruction that targets a student’s particular area of need.  It might mean a longer session, a smaller group size or more frequent sessions depending on the needs of the particular student. Progress monitoring is more intense at this level happening at least once a week. This progress monitoring must be data that quantifies the effects of the intervention and clearly shows the student’s rate of progress.

Is this a Special Education Program? No. RTI is a general education program but Special Education is a very important component of this comprehensive system. Staff members from the Principal, special educators, content specialists and school psychologist all participate in the implementation and decision making within this program.