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The heart of any RTI model lies in the use of tiered instruction. In the RTI framework, the instruction delivered to students varies on several dimensions that are related to the nature and severity of a student's difficulties. Edward Shapiro of Lehigh University provides a detailed explanation of the multi-tiered instructional component of RTI. Read "Tiered Instruction and Intervention in a Response-to-Intervention Model."

What is RTI? 

KBE staff embarked on a  Professional Learning Community (PLC) journey beginning in SY 2011-12.  PLC teams at each school site  ensure best teaching practices are in place for quality instruction and learning opportunities for students in K-12.    Student success is at the heart of PLC .  

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a research-based framework that is used to improve outcomes for all students. The principles and components that are essential to the effective implementation of RTI are closely aligned with the Alberta Program of Studies, best teaching practices and Kainaiwa/Blood Tribe spiritual, cultural and daily 'ways of being' protocols.

Response to Intervention is a multi-level prevention and intervention system that provides high-quality instruction and interventions matched to the needs of students in order to maximize student achievement and reduce problem behavior. With RTI, schools identify students at risk for poor learning outcomes, monitor student progress, provide evidence-based interventions and adjust the intensity and nature of those interventions depending on a student’s responsiveness (National Center on Response to Intervention, 2010). 

Why RTI? 

At the heart of the RTI framework is the idea that we can prevent failure and close gaps in achievement and behavioral expectations at the earliest signs of difficulty. Not all students who are at risk will need the most intensive interventions available, so the system of interventions is designed to provide the appropriate level of support needed to accelerate students’ learning. (Solution Tree, 2012)

What Benefit Does RTI Have for All Students? 

In addition to assisting those students who are not responding adequately to core instruction or prevention efforts, RTI has the benefit of providing all students with the best opportunities to succeed in school. Schools that effectively implement RTI focus first on improving their primary level instruction and programming, ensuring that they are high quality, evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically responsive. General guidelines suggest primary prevention efforts should be effective and sufficient for 80 percent of the student population (National Center on Response to Intervention, 2010). 

What are the Essential Features of an Effective RTI Framework? 

According to the National Center on Response to Intervention, essential features include: 

1. School-wide, multi-level system of research-based instructional and behavioral supports. 
2. Screening and progress monitoring 
3. Data-based decision making for: a) instruction, b) Movment within the muli-level system, c) determning movment within the muli-level system, d) determining the need for Special Education
4. Evaluation of the effectiveness of instructional supports. 

How is RTI Implemented? 

Implementing the RTI framework for improving students’ academic, social-emotional, and/or behavioral outcomes generally occurs in four steps: 

1. Collect screening data related to the outcome of interest in order to determine which students are at risk for poor outcomes. 
2. Analyze the screening data collected to determine the specific needs of at-risk students and make decisions based on the data and identified needs. 
3. Match the level, intensity, duration, and frequency of instruction/intervention to the identified student needs. 
4. Monitor progress regularly to determine whether or not students are responding adequately to the instruction/intervention. 

This process of implementing RTI is cyclical, repeating itself as new data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform instruction. 

KBE staff will be planning and implementing this process.  We cannot allow any of our students to fail and are commited to ensuring all students succeed. 

For More Information on RTI:
 

National Center on Response to Intervention