What Is Response to Intervention? (RTI)

1. What Is Response to Intervention?(RTI) • A comprehensive, multi-tiered intervention strategy to enable early identification and intervention for students at academic or behavioral risk. • Instruction that provides a response to student performance through scientific, research-based interventions.

2. Key Characteristics of RtI • Use of scientifically research-based curriculum, & interventions aligned with academic standards • Universal Screening of Reading, Math and Behavior • Multiple, Fluid Tiers of Increasing Intensity of Interventions • Differentiated instruction, curriculum & intervention strategies • Continuous monitoring of student performance that increases with intensity of student need • Benchmark/Outcome assessment

3. RtI - NOT RtI Students RtI Classroom RtI Teachers Special Education Another Name for IST

4. IST to RtIWhere we have been … Where we are going… • Academic Standards • PSSA/PASA • Access to General Education Curriculum • Curriculum Aligned with Academic Standards • Scientific Research Base • State-wide Emphasis on Data-Informed Decision-Making • PVAAS • State-wide Dibels Training & Support for All Students • State-wide Positive Behavior Support Training • State-wide Progress Monitoring Training • Tutoring & Extended Learning Opportunities • Assessment Anchors • Focus on All Students-All Subgroups • School Improvement Model • Inclusive Practices

5. Pennsylvania’s Three-tiered Framework • An Integrated Approach (General, Remedial and Special Education) • Based upon a functional perspective • Focused on academic/behavioral growth of all students • Student needs exist on a continuum • Resources organized and provided in direct proportion to student need • Implementation • Scientifically research-based practices • Problem Solving Model • A “Best Practice” approach • Considers all system variables (child, teacher, environment) • Results in objective and measurable interventions (evidence-based)

6. Pennsylvania Response to Intervention Tier 3: Intensive Interventions for Low Performing Students Alter curriculum, Add time, support resources… Continuum of Time, Intensity and Data Increases • Tier 2: • Strategic and Targeted Interventions • for • Students At –Risk for Failure • Strategic Instruction, Increased Time and Opportunity to Learn Percentage of Students Requiring Intensive Supports Decreases Strategic Interventions for Students at Risk of Academic Failure Tier I: Benchmark and School Wide Interventions for Students on Grade-level (benchmark) and All Students (Effective Instructional Practices provided within the General Education Curriculum)

7. What are interventions? • Targeted assistance based on progress monitoring • Administered by teacher and/or specialist • Provide additional instruction (individual or small group) • Match materials to instructional level • Modify modes of task presentation • Modify instruction time • Increase task structure • Increase task relevant practice McCook, J., LRP Conference, December 2005

8. Interventions are NOT • Preferential seating • Shortened assignments • Parent contacts • Classroom observations • Suspension • Doing more of the same assignments • Retention McCook, J., LRP Conference, December 2005

9. A Standard Protocol Intervention … • Is scientifically research-based. • Has a high probability of producing change for large numbers of students. • Is designed to be used in a standard manner across students. • Is usually delivered individually or in small groups. • Is often scripted or very structured. • Can be orchestrated by a problem-solving team.

10. Tier 1: Benchmark/Schoolwide • Data Analysis Teaming • Effective Instruction • Universal Screening • Progress Monitoring • General Education Curriculum • Schoolwide Behavior Support Tier I: Benchmark and School Wide Interventions for Students on Grade-level (benchmark) and All Students (Effective Instructional Practices provided within the General Education Curriculum)

11. Tier 1: Benchmark/Schoolwide • Definition: Students who are making expected progress in the general education curriculum and who demonstrate social competence; • Describes school-wide interventions that are available to all students: • Effective instruction • Clear expectations • Effective student support • Periodic benchmark assessments • Universal prevention

12. Tier 1 Functions • Universal screening • Monitor Student Progress • Data analysis teaming • School-wide behavior supports • Effective differentiated instruction within the core curriculum

13. Tier 2: Strategic/Targeted • Tier 2: • Strategic and Targeted Interventions • for • Students At –Risk for Failure • Strategic Instruction, Increased Time • and Opportunity to Learn Targeted Skill based Interventions More Frequent Progress Monitoring

14. Tier 2: Strategic/Targeted Definition: Academic and behavioral strategies, methodologies and practices designed for students not making expected progress in the general education curriculum and/or have mild to moderate difficulties demonstrating social competence. These students are at risk for academic failure.

15. Tier 2: Strategic Interventions • Use of standard protocol interventions • Scientifically research-based interventions • Academic – reading & math • Behavior • Core instruction with supplemental materials • Differentiated instruction in general ed. • Specialists assist with strategic instruction in regular classroom • Increase opportunity to learn • Increase instructional time • Increase progress monitoring

16. Tier 3: Intensive Interventions Tier 3: Intensive Interventions for Low Performing Students Alter curriculum, Add time, support resources… Intensive instruction Small Group skill-based instruction Weekly Progress Monitoring

17. Tier 3: Intensive Interventions • Definition: Academic and behavioral strategies, methodologies and practices designed for students significantly lagging behind established grade-level benchmarks in the general education curriculum or who demonstrate significant difficulties with behavioral and social competence.

18. Tier 3: Intensive Interventions • Use of standard protocols • Supplemental instructional materials • Small intensive groups • Can be outside the general ed. classroom • Tutoring by remedial educators

19. Increased direct instruction time More time on task More immediate and corrective feedback More opportunity to respond Functional behavior analysis (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) More frequent progress monitoring (once per week) Core curriculum and intensive intervention Tier 3: Instructional Strategies Examples

20. Results of Tier 3 Interventions • Cycle responders back to tier 2 • Refer non-responders for evaluation for eligibility for special education

21. Tier 3: Intensive Interventions for Low Performing Students Alter curriculum, Add time, support resources… Continuum of Time, Intensity and Data Increases Percentage of Students Requiring Intensive Supports Decreases • Tier 2: • Strategic and Targeted Interventions • for • Students At –Risk for Failure • Strategic Instruction, Increased Time and Opportunity to Learn Strategic Interventions for Students at Risk of Academic Failure Tier I: Benchmark and School Wide Interventions for Students on Grade-level (benchmark) and All Students (Effective Instructional Practices provided within the General Education Curriculum) Pennsylvania Response to Intervention

22. Layers of Support for RtI Implementation School- District – Regional – State-wide Strategic, Structured & Proactive • RtI Pilot School Program • RtI Framework • Resource Tool Kits • Regional Trainer-of-Trainer Series • Ongoing Topical Area Workshops & Trainings • Intermediate Unit Technical Assistance Consultants • Special Education & Curriculum Consultants • Training and On-site assistance • Build Capacity to support all schools

23. RtI Support for Implementation Resources: RTI TOOL KIT Development 1. Overview of RTI 2. Universal Screening 3. Data Analysis Teaming 4. Scientific-based core curriculum in reading & math 5. Differentiated Instruction 6. Progress Monitoring 7. Positive Behavior Supports 8. Using RtI in the Determination of Eligibility for Special Education 9. Training for Principals and Administrators

24. Tier 3: Intensive Interventions Tier 2: Strategic and Targeted Interventions Tier 1: Benchmark and School Wide Interventions for All Students School Improvement System District Performance School Performance Intensive Supports: Distinguished Educators Classroom Performance Student Performance Targeted Supports: Intermediate Units For Districts that Struggle in Particular Areas & are in School Improvement or Warning – 350 Districts Foundation Support The Basics in All Six Components – All 501 School Districts In Pennsylvania

25. Linkages between the School Improvement System & RTI Implementation of School-wide Approach to Address the Reading, Mathematics and Behavioral Needs of All Students Research-Validated Interventions are Implemented Based on the Type, Level and Intensity of the Individual Student’s Need Universal Screening of Academics and Behavior is Conducted for All Students; Continuous Progress Monitoring; Progress Monitoring Data used to Determine Effectiveness and Drive Instructional Adjustments; Conduct Benchmark/Outcome Assessment for All Students Clear Standards What students should know and do Fair Assessments How you measure what students know and are able to do Interventions How you help struggling kids understand the content Strong Results For ALL Students ALL Staff (Gen, Sp Ed, Title, ESL) Assume an Active role in Instruction in the Curriculum Resources & Materials The stuff you use to teach the content Curriculum The content behind the standards Instruction How you teach the content behind the standards Ensure that Researched-Based Instruction and Intervention Strategies are Implemented with Fidelity; Support Resources and Materials along with Supplementary Interventions are Necessary to Held Students Not Making Sufficient Progress ALL Students Receive High Quality, Research-Based Instruction in the General Education Setting; High-Quality Instruction and Intervention Matched to Student Need Using Data to Inform Instruction

26. Pennsylvania RtI Implementation