What is Response to Intervention (RTI)

Hello everyone! As you know we are always working to bring you the most up to date

information regarding special education. One of the most recent articles we came across was one

on the negative effects of Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI is sometimes used by schools to

delay and in some cases prevent students from being evaluated for special education. New

research by the U.S Department of Education is showing how those students who are receiving

RTI are falling further behind instead of catching up.

RTI was something that was added into IDEA in 2004 which was meant to screen all students in

elementary school, find those who were struggling, and bring them up to grade level by provided

a standardized set of support services. Students were to be brought up to grade level in reading

and math.

RTI services were being used as a substitute for special education services and instead of helping

students out, those students who needed help continued to fall further behind. The study found

that these students were losing about 1/10th of a school year.

The results of the study sponsored by the U.S Department of Education were outlined in an

article in Education Week. This article found the following were possible reasons for it going

wrong:

RTI was being used as a substitute for special education services
There were no baseline evaluations done on the children to be able to know if the interventions are suitable for some of the students.
The schools are not being clear as to what the general goals are vs. the more specialized goals of RTI
RTI instruction was not specialized to meet each child’s needs

RTI does not replace an evaluation, it is important to put your request for a comprehensive

evaluation in writing. If you want to try RTI, consider getting a written statement from the school

describing the criteria for transitioning from RTI to special education. RTI and special education

are not mutually exclusive. RTI does not replace special education services. Do not assume RTI

will meet your child’s unique needs. If your child has a disability, they have a legal right to an

Individualized Education Program (IEP) under IDEA.