Response to Intervention (RTI) is often misunderstood as a special education component of education, when RTI is a regular education component used to eliminate the need of special education services. RTI is also known as Multi-Tiered System of Support. The RTI model is a system within a system. The RTI model usually functions within a school, but can function just within a grade level or a classroom. Each design of the RTI model should match the learning needs of current students. The necessary components of the model may change from year to year to meet the changing needs of students. A healthy RTI model will reach most struggling students, freeing-up special education services for students who have the most severe learning needs.
Several definitions of the RTI model exist; a typical RTI model has three tiers of instruction:
- Tier 1 instruction is taught using research-based curriculum and instruction that is differentiated to meet student learning needs. Tier 1 takes place in the general classroom, taught by a regular classroom teacher. Tier 1 should meet the learning needs of 80% of the students. Students who are struggling to meet the expectations of Tier 1 are referred for Tier 2 instruction, using universal screeners and classroom data. Students can skip tiers to better match individual learning needs.
- Tier 2 instruction becomes more intense using explicit systematic instruction based on student learning needs. Tier 2 instructions can be taught by regular classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, reading specialist or special education teachers. Tier 2 instructions typically take place outside of the regular classroom, in a small group setting. Students are progress monitored, usually once a week to ensure that the curriculum and the intensity of instruction are meeting student learning needs. Data from monitoring is used to adjust curriculum and instruction. Students not showing progress after a specified time at Tier 2 are referred for Tier 3 instruction.
- Tier 3 instruction becomes more intense and individualized. Some students may need more diagnostic testing to better pinpoint their particular learning needs. Tier 3 is usually taught in one-on-one settings by a paraprofessional, reading specialist or special education teacher. Tier 3 in some models is special education.
Each tier of the RTI model typically has a team of educators that support the instruction and movement of students in and out of that tier. Team members usually include the regular classroom teacher, reading specialist, special education teacher, and or the RTI liaison. Team members can also include administrators, parents, community liaisons, and other educational professionals, such as speech pathologist or psychologist.
Reference:
Ray, J.S. (2017). Tier 2 interventions for students in grades 1-3 identified as at-risk in reading. (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3826/
