2.6: RTI

Response to Intervention (RTI)

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tiered approach used in schools to identify and support students who are struggling with academic or behavioral difficulties. RTI focuses on providing early, systematic interventions to help students succeed, and it uses ongoing monitoring of students' progress to guide decision-making about the intensity of the interventions needed.

Key Components of RTI:

Universal Screening

At the beginning of the school year, all students are screened to assess their current level of academic performance or behavioral functioning. This helps identify students who may be at risk for falling behind or who need additional support. These screenings are typically brief assessments that evaluate key areas such as reading, math, or social skills. This Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) serves as an illustration of how instruction meets individual student needs. All students, including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, receive Tier 1 supports, some students will need Tier 2 supports in addition to those in Tier 1, and a few students will need Tier 3 supports in addition to Tiers 1 and 2. Although many students with the most significant disabilities will participate in all three tiers, this is not a given. No student should only receive Tier 3 supports. Doing so would ignore the other levels of instruction and intervention that provide a complete program for the student. It would also prevent the student from benefiting from the effectiveness of lower tier instruction and supports.[/caption]

Tiered Levels of Intervention:

RTI is structured into different levels, or tiers, of intervention, each designed to provide varying levels of support based on the student's needs.

Tier 1 – Universal Instruction Tier 1 consists of high-quality, evidence-based instruction provided to all students in the general education classroom (Fuchs & Fuchs, 2006). Teachers regularly monitor student progress and adjust instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs. Most students respond well to this level of support.

Tier 2 – Targeted Interventions Students who struggle despite Tier 1 instruction receive additional support through small-group interventions focused on specific skills, such as reading comprehension or math fluency (Vaughn & Fuchs, 2003). Progress is monitored more frequently to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

Tier 3 – Intensive Interventions Students who do not make sufficient progress in Tier 2 receive highly individualized, intensive instruction, often in one-on-one or small-group settings (National Center on Response to Intervention, 2010). This level of support addresses significant learning difficulties, and ongoing monitoring helps determine whether special education services are necessary.

Progress Monitoring Throughout RTI, student progress is systematically assessed to ensure interventions are effective. Educators use this data to adjust strategies as needed, preventing delays in support (Gersten et al., 2009).

Data-Driven Decision Making Intervention decisions are based on objective data from assessments, progress monitoring, and teacher observations rather than intuition. If multiple interventions prove ineffective, students may be referred for specialized services, such as special education or further diagnostic assessments (Burns et al., 2016).

Goals of RTI

• Early Identification and Support:
  • RTI aims to identify students who are struggling early on, allowing for quick interventions before academic or behavioral problems become too severe.
  • Early intervention increases the likelihood that students will catch up to their peers and stay on track for academic success.
• Prevention:
  • The RTI model is designed to prevent students from falling too far behind by providing interventions at the first signs of difficulty. Rather than waiting for a student to fail before intervening, RTI proactively addresses academic and behavioral challenges.
• Individualized Support:
  • RTI provides tailored interventions that meet each student’s unique needs, ensuring that the support is appropriate to their level of difficulty. This helps maximize each student's chance of success.
• Reduction in Referrals to Special Education:
  • By providing effective interventions early, RTI aims to reduce the number of students who are inappropriately referred for special education services. Some students may simply need targeted, evidence-based interventions rather than formal special education.

Benefits of RTI:

• Timely Support: Students receive support as soon as they begin to struggle, rather than waiting for significant failure to be addressed.
• Flexibility: The approach allows teachers to adapt interventions based on the individual needs of the students.
• Data-Driven: Decisions are based on objective data, making it easier to track student progress and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Inclusion: RTI is typically delivered within the general education setting, allowing students to remain in the classroom environment while receiving the help they need.

Challenges of RTI:

• Time-Consuming: RTI can be resource-intensive, requiring significant time for screening, progress monitoring, and planning interventions.
• Teacher Training: Teachers must be well-trained in the RTI process, including how to use data effectively and provide interventions at each tier.
• Adequate Resources: Schools need to have the appropriate resources, such as trained staff and materials for interventions, to implement RTI successfully.

RTI and Special Education:

While RTI is a preventive approach, it also plays a role in the referral process for special education. If a student does not respond to interventions in Tier 1, 2, or 3, and continues to struggle despite targeted support, this may be an indication that the student has a disability and should be evaluated for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). RTI data often helps inform these evaluations.

Conclusion

Response to Intervention (RTI) is an essential framework used to support students who are struggling academically or behaviorally. By providing early, targeted interventions based on regular monitoring and data, RTI ensures that students receive the help they need at the right time. It’s a proactive approach that benefits all students by identifying and addressing difficulties early, helping to ensure better academic outcomes and fewer referrals to special education.