The 3 Basics of a Quality RTI Plan
It might be helpful to envision the RTI framework as a three-legged stool. The three legs are (1) an assessment process, (2) a tiered intervention menu, and (3) a problem-solving process. Each leg of this stool must be in place for the framework to be stable and functional.
Representative Structure of the RTI Process The first leg of the stool is the heart of RTI. Just as feedback helps runners shave seconds off their time, educators and students need specific data to stay on target and make appropriate adjustments if the going gets rough. The RTI process uses data from three assessment tools (discussed in further detail in Chapters 3 and 4) to meet this objective.
Representative Structure of the RTI Process The first leg of the stool is the heart of RTI. Just as feedback helps runners shave seconds off their time, educators and students need specific data to stay on target and make appropriate adjustments if the going gets rough. The RTI process uses data from three assessment tools (discussed in further detail in Chapters 3 and 4) to meet this objective.
- Universal screening data help pinpoint high-priority areas of concern. Screening provides data that help answer fundamental questions: What should we keep and what needs to be dropped or updated? Which students are in danger of falling through the cracks if we do not intervene quickly?
- Diagnostic assessments refine the universal screening data by identifying the root causes for gaps between expected outcomes and actual performance.
- Progress monitoring provides continuous feedback about how successfully the selected intervention is promoting student growth and closing achievement gaps. It also helps determine when a change in strategy is required.