What is RTI?
RTI (Response to Intervention) seeks to prevent academic failure through early intervention, frequent progress monitoring, and the use of intensive research-based instructional interventions for children who are having academic difficulty.
Essential Elements of RTI at Ted Flores Elementary
- screening children within the general curriculum,
- tiered instruction of increasing intensity,
- evidence-based instruction,
- close monitoring of student progress, and
- Informed decision making regarding next steps for individual students.
Students at TFE are identified for RTI by the Student Assistance Team after reviewing all of the following:
- Students are screened with TPRI (Texas Primary Reading Inventory) which is designed for students in grades K-2. The TPRI is an early reading assessment that measures a student’s reading and language arts development. This assessment allows for teachers to identify students who are in need of additional reading/language arts instructional support and provide necessary objectives and activities to support the development of skills. Tejas Lee is used to measures a student’s Spanish-language reading and language arts development for Bilingual Students.
- Reading Benchmarks/Reading Level
- Teacher observation/Teacher referral
- Language Arts/Reading Grades
Tiered Instruction at TFE
Once students are identified as “at risk” or “struggling” then they move through the general education curriculum or a pull out program where they will receive evidence-based interventions/instruction. The interventions/instruction will increase in intensity within each tier for specific students who do not show sufficient progress or development.
Tier 1. At-risk children who have been identified through a screening process receive research-based instruction, sometimes in small groups, sometimes as part of a class wide intervention. A certain amount of time (generally not more than six or nine weeks) is allotted to see if the child responds to the intervention. Each student’s progress is monitored closely. The Student Assistance Team meets to reevaluate and provide recommendations, such as: exiting the child from RTI without further intervention if the child is on target/level, or continuing Tier 1 if the child is responding to the interventions but needs more time and monitoring in Tier 1 to be on target/level.
Tier 2. If the child does not respond to the Tier 1 interventions, he or she will move to Tier 2. The length of time in Tier 2 is generally a bit longer than in Tier 1, and the level of intensity of the interventions is greater. At TFE Tier 2 students are pulled out by an RTI teacher for 30 minutes 4 times a week in a small group setting. The child’s progress is closely monitored for 6-9 weeks. If the child shows adequate progress, then the child will continue to receive interventions in the general education classroom for continued monitoring at Tier 1 or possibly is exited from RTI without further intervention if no longer considered at risk and is on target/level.
Tier 3. If a child does not respond adequately to the intervention(s) in Tier 2, then he or she will move to Tier 3 to receive more intensive interventions. At TFE Tier 3 students are pulled out by an RTI teacher for 45 minutes 4 times a week in a small group setting. If the child does not respond to instruction in this level, then he or she is likely to be referred for a full and individual evaluation through the Special Education Program.
The data gathered on the child’s response to the interventions in Tiers 1, 2, and 3 is used during the evaluation process to determine a learning disability, if any, and/or the child’s possible eligibility for special education and related services.
Once my child is identified or referred for RTI interventions then what?
You will be contacted by both your child’s teacher and an RTI teacher for a Parent conference to discuss the details and benefits of the program for your child. You are your child’s first and most important teacher so your input and collaboration is crucial and will be greatly appreciated to achieve your child’s academic success.
Who to contact about RTI at TFE
Becky Enriquez-1st Grade RTI Erika Gonzales-Kinder RTI
benriquez@pearsall.k12.tx.us egonzales@pearsall.k12.tx.us
(830)334-4108 ext. 5203 (830)334-4108 ext. 5222
