Response To Intervention (RTI)

 

Both articles are similar in their understanding that RTI is a way of effectively intervening immediately if students are in need of assistance. It is not a way of simply assuming that an individual will automatically become part of the special education program. Buffum (2010) article differs also from Searle (2010) by explaining more on how districts view RTI and how many are seeing it from the perspective of doing it only because we must be “legally compliant with the law” (Buffum et al., 2010). Buffum (2010) article also focuses mainly on the solutions to districts finding the right reasons to implement this program. Searle (2010) goes more into depth on how to implement this program and what specific things need to be done by using the three-tiered pyramid. 

While reading these articles, it has become apparent to me that there are a variety of ways to help students succeed. We have this program at our high school, but its implementation has been very novice and our knowledge of it is very minimal. I'm able now to understand what RTI is and what its purpose is for a school body. “Searle (2010) states, RTI is a systematic way of connecting instructional components that are already in place. It integrates assessment data and resources efficiently to provide more support options for every type of learner.” It was always my understanding from colleagues that this program was a way for students to enter the special education program, but I am now aware that the information provided to me was very inaccurate. I now recognize that this is a program to implement immediate intervention for any student showing signs of struggle throughout the academic year.  

This information provides our school a strategy to effectively evaluate students and develop a plan of action in providing support to struggling learners. Many of our departmental meetings focus on finding the right solution to helping all students from classes get the support they need. It has always been a challenge to create collaboration between teachers where such an implementation as RTI can provide immediate support to students. I think these articles have demonstrated the need for more collaboration between teachers and admin. I think attending a variety of training courses focused on RTI can help foster a more effective instructional environment.  

Buffum, A., Mattos , M., & Weber, C. (2010). The Why Behind RTI. ASCD.

      https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-why-behind-rti

Searle, M. (2010). What Every School Leader Needs to Know About RTI. ASCD.

      https://www.ascd.org/books/what-every-school-leader-needs-to-know-about-rti?variant=109097