Definition of RTI
Providing high-quality instruction/intervention matched to student needs.
Using learning rates over time and level of performance to make important education decisions.
Key components
All students receive high-quality core content area instruction.
• All students are screened to identify those who are making adequate grade-level progress and those who are falling behind and at risk for learning difficulties.
• At-risk students are provided with immediate, evidence-based intervention instruction.
• At-risk students’ progress is monitored frequently to ensure the intervention is meeting their needs.
• Professional development is provided to educators to enhance the instruction and intervention they provide.
Tier 1: High-Quality Classroom Instruction, Screening, and Group Interventions
All students receive high-quality, scientifically based instruction provided by qualified personnel to ensure that their difficulties are not due to inadequate instruction. All students are screened on a periodic basis to establish an academic and behavioral baseline and to identify struggling learners who need additional support. Students identified as being “at risk” through universal screenings and/or results on state- or district wide tests receive supplemental instruction during the school day in the regular classroom. The length of time for this step can vary, but it generally should not exceed 8 weeks. During that time, student progress is closely monitored using a validated screening system such as curriculum-based measurement. At the end of this period, students showing significant progress are generally returned to the regular classroom program.
Tier 2: Targeted Interventions
Students not making adequate progress in the regular classroom in Tier 1 are provided with increasingly intensive instruction matched to their needs on the