Response to Intervention

Response to Intervention (RtI) is a three-tiered approach to the identification and support of students with learning needs in the area of reading. The RtI process begins with high-quality instruction and universal screening of all children (K-5). Struggling learners are provided with interventions at increasing levels of intensity to improve their rate of learning. Progress is closely monitored to assess both the learning rate and level of performance of individual students.

Tier 1: High-Quality Classroom Instruction, Screening, and Group Interventions

Students are screened three times per year to identify learners who need additional support in the area of reading. Students identified as being "at risk" through multiple data points may receive accommodations during the school day in the regular classroom. During that time, student progress is monitored. Students not showing adequate progress are moved to Tier 2.

Tier 2: Targeted Interventions

Students are provided with increasingly intensive instruction matched to their needs. These services and interventions are provided in small-group settings in addition to instruction in the general curriculum. During this time, student progress is closely monitored. Students who do not show appropriate progress are then considered for more intensive interventions as part of Tier 3.

Tier 3: Intensive Interventions

Students receive intensive interventions that target the students' skill deficits. These interventions often are considered to be a replacement curriculum rather than a supplementary one. Students are closely progress monitored and problem solving is done on a regular basis to determine additions and/or changes needed in the intervention.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Students who do not achieve the desired level of progress in response to these 3 tiers of targeted interventions over a period of time, may be referred for a comprehensive evaluation and considered for eligibility for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004). The data collected during Tiers 1, 2, and 3 are included and used to make eligibility decisions.