The RTI Process

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.