Effective RTI - Reading Teachers

Assignment 1

Appropriate Response to Intervention includes whole class instruction for all students, various supports that will assist students who struggle, and special education for students who are not progressing despite the additional support provided. Teachers need to use student's assessments to guide their decisions when to implement each tier of the RTI program. In order that students will receive the best possible intervention possible they should base their instruction on the evidence recorded through assessment. The successful use of Response to Intervention requires the involvement of a team of professional educators who, together with teachers, try to meet the needs of every student. Although there are many ways to implement RTI, reading teachers are an essential component to every successful program. The effectiveness of a program can depend greatly on the education and experience that the the professionals and teachers have. Reading professionals, through professional development and mentoring classroom teachers, can increase the effectiveness of the original reading instruction within the classroom. Reading teachers depending on their knowledge and education can be invaluable for they are able to provide their struggling students with direct, high quality instruction. As reading teachers we need to understand the responsibility we hold, and ensure that our students are receiving the correct intervention and instruction at all times.

Assignment 2

In the  article “Response  to  Intervention  (RTI):  What  Teachers  of  Reading  Need  to  Know written they explain how the RTI system works. The Response to Intervention allows students who are struggling to receive the appropriate help that they need as soon as possible. It incorporates assessments and intervention to benefit the students as is necessary. The assessments are used to inform teachers of the required intervention and reflects if the interventions are being effective. “With the RTI Model, Instruction can at last be addressed.” Although there may be challenges with the model, regarding which is the most appropriate intervention or assessments to be administered, the RTI Model has proven to be quite successful in ensuring students receive the assistance and instruction they need.
What is RTI?
RTI  is  an approach  to  identifying  students  with  specific  learning  disabilities and  RTI  can be an  initial  referral  and  identification  process  for  students  suspected  of  having  learning  disabilities. The following are the steps taken to provide immediate and appropriate intervention according to the RTI Model.
1.  Universal literacy screenings is done three times a year, for all students. Any student who seems to be struggling by not reaching  benchmarks will receive intervention.
2. Scientifically valid Interventions will be implemented, typically to a group of students, to develop skills to improve their reading skills.
3. Monitor the progress of students receiving the level one intervention. Intervention should focus on the skill they are working on, and determine if the intervention is effective. Assessments should be given weekly or biweekly and must be reliable, valid and brief.
4. Individualize intervention for those who are still struggling, more intense and targeted intervention will be required. Additional assessments may be needed to insure appropriate targeted intervention, gather data from any teacher, parent, or adult that the student is in contact with such as a speech therapist. Additional assessments should be monitored constantly after the intervention is in place.
5. If the student has not responded to the interventions that have been given over a long period of time, then a team  of school-based  professionals  and  the  student’s  parents  review  all  data  to  determine  whether  the  student  is  eligible  for  special  education  services.

RTI is an approach to identifying students with specific learning disabilities and RTI can be an initial referral and identification process for students suspected of having learning disabilities. The following are the steps taken to provide immediate and appropriate intervention according to the RTI Model.

The RTI Model is sort of like a pyramid. Tier 1 – Everyone begins to receive effective differentiated instruction in this general ed setting. Instruction is given by a General Ed teacher as part of an evidence based curriculum. About 80-85 percent of students needs are met through such instruction.If however a student is not successful in through Tier 1 instruction they will receive a Tier 2 instruction. Tier 2 instruction is a more systematic and strategically designed intense intervention that is provided generally to small groups of students. During such sessions the teacher will address a specific concern that she felt the group needed additional instruction. This is not in replace of tier 1 instruction, rather it is provided as a supplement to it. Tier 2 instruction can be done through the classroom teacher or a teacher’s aid. Students can receive Tier 2 intervention a few times, and then not need it all again. The RTI structure is set up to prevent students from falling through and missing important skills. It stresses the importance of providing immediate intervention to any difficulty that may arise. If the Tier 2 intervention is unsuccessful, then the student will may receive Tier 3 instruction which is more individual and intense. The time spent for direct instruction is extended, yet again, does not replace Tier 1 instruction completely. Throughout the RTI program, students from Tier 2, and 3 are receiving part of the intense classroom instruction along all the students in Tier 1. Being on a constant watch to notice if a student is slipping, will prevent teachers from overlooking student struggles.