An RTI program is a systematic, data-driven
process that identifies and addresses the needs of all of the students in a
school. This process’ goal is to “maximize
the academic and social, emotional, and behavioral learning, progress, and
proficiencies of all students” (Knoff, 2011, p. 4). In an RTI program, students are
given supports at three levels: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Tier 1 supports meet the needs of the
majority of the students and are provided within the regular education classroom
to all students. This instruction is
typically either whole-group or small-group instruction. Tier 2 supports are those specific services
or strategies that students need to be successful in the general education
classroom. These are typically targeted
at those students who are not successful in the Tier 1 setting. While the general education teacher is still
the one in charge of Tier 2, supports may be provided by support staff, such as
paraprofessionals or mental health professions.
The teacher is still fully involved in the planning and the supports are
integrated into the general education classroom as much as possible. Tier 3 supports are more intensive than Tier
2 and are highly specialized. These supports
are student-specific and are provided outside of the general education
classroom by Special Education teachers, paraprofessionals, reading specialists,
or mental health professionals. Students
are moved through the tiers as identified in the data, so that when a student
is making progress, they are able to move up the tiers until no additional
support is required.
References:
Knoff,
H. M. (2011) Integrating
the school prevention, review, and intervention team
(SPRINT) and
response-to-instruction/intervention (RtI2) process: A model
implementation guidebook for schools and districts. Little
Rock, AR: Project ACHIEVE Incorporated.
