Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of parents.
- What is RTI?
- What are the potential benefits of RTI?
- What is Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring?
- Will I know if my child is receiving extra help?
- Who can I contact if I have more questions about RTI?
What is RTI?
Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tier approach to the early
identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs. The
RTI process begins with high-quality instruction and universal screening of
all children in the general education classroom. Struggling learners are
provided with interventions at increasing levels of intensity to accelerate
their rate of learning. These services may be provided by a variety of
personnel, including general education teachers, special educators, and
specialists. Progress is closely monitored to assess both the learning rate
and level of performance of individual students. Educational decisions about
the intensity and duration of interventions are based on individual student
response to instruction. RTI is designed for use when making decisions in
both general education and special education, creating a well-integrated
system of instruction and intervention guided by child outcome data.
RTI Action Network - www.rtinetwork.org
What are the potential benefits of RTI?
Perhaps the most commonly cited benefit of an RTI approach is that it
eliminates a �wait to fail� situation because students get help promptly
within the general education setting. Secondly, an RTI approach has the
potential to reduce the number of students referred for special education
services. Since an RTI approach helps distinguish between those students
whose achievement problems are due to a learning disability versus those
students whose achievement problems are due to other issues such as lack of
prior instruction, referrals for special education evaluations are often
reduced. Finally, parents and school teams alike find that the student
progress monitoring techniques utilized in an RTI approach provide more
instructionally relevant information than traditional assessments.
RTI Action Network - www.rtinetwork.org
What is Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring?
Universal Screening is a quick, academic assessment of age-appropriate
skills. This assessment is administered at the beginning, mid, and end of
the year to determine which students are �at risk� for not meeting grade
level standards.
Student Progress Monitoring is a scientifically based practice that is used
to frequently assess students� academic performance and evaluate the
effectiveness of instruction. Progress monitoring procedures can be used
with individual students or an entire class.
Will I know if my child is receiving extra help?
Yes. As soon as your child's teacher becomes aware that your child is
struggling in the classroom, he/she will contact you and discuss their
concern(s) and further actions.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about RTI?
You can contact myself, Heather Simms, at 428-2253 or
Becky Terrell at 428-2252