1. Response to Instruction ________________________________ Response To Intervention New Opportunities for Students and Reading Professionals

2. RTI is a Systematic Reform Process: to provide EARLY services to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. to make data-based decisions within a comprehensive framework. to help close the achievement gap through effective literacy instruction for ALL students. What is RTI?

3. Benefits of RTI An EARLY opportunity for struggling students to receive effective reading instruction in the general classroom An opportunity for reading teachers to share professional knowledge with classroom teachers An opportunity for reading teachers to collaborate in all classrooms for best practice reading instruction An opportunity for school-wide reform based on good reading instruction

4. Even More Benefits of RTI Earlier identification of students who have reading difficulties; Informed and involved parents; Reduction in the overidentification of minority students; Continuous improvement model of assessing, planning, and implementing; High quality reading instruction in all classrooms based on evidence-based research.

5. Caveats RTI is NOT owned by any one profession. RTI is an idea not a method. – THERE IS NO ONE MODEL! – Models must reflect own community based on local data and resources. RTI increases demands on teachers. RTI is controversial as it impacts how children are defined and when children are referred for SPED RTI will be confusing since there is a lack of clear guidance in federal regs.

6. The Role of Reading Teachers in RTI: Proactively develop, lead, and evaluate the school wide reading program Train staff in use of informal assessment and assist staff in interpreting data Identify appropriate, evidence-based intervention strategies Provide intensive instruction to struggling readers Create and supervise long-term staff development Collaborate with general education teachers, special education personnel, administration and parents

7. IDEA 2004 RTI is NOT mandated! LEAs may use a process that determines if the child responds to scientific, research-based intervention as a part of the evaluation procedures.

8. Evaluation of SLD RTI IS A COMPONENT OF COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT. The screening of a student by a teacher or specialist to determine appropriate instructional strategies for curriculum implementation shall not be considered to be an evaluation for eligibility for special education and related services.

9. Evaluation of SLD RTI is an alternative to the IQ discrepancy model used in the past. May not require the use of a severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability and achievement for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability.

10. Evaluation of SLD The determination … must be made by the childs parents and a team of qualified professionals, which must include: The childs regular teacher; … and at least one person qualified to conduct individual diagnostic examinations of children, such as a school psychologist, speech- language pathologist, or remedial reading teacher.

11. Evaluation of SLD Determination for special education eligibility shall not be a lack of appropriate instruction in reading, including in the essential components of reading instruction.

12. THEREFORE… If a student isnt doing well in reading, he isnt immediately referred for a special ed assessment. How long and what constitutes a response is locally determined. If RTI does not work, then the child is referred for special ed assessment. The Law still applies – 45 days if a parent requests an evaluation.

13. What States are Doing Some states have demonstration projects on organizing schools and professional development for RTI. CT and NY are examples of how the reading community can be effective in RTI. CRA and NYSRA meet regularly with their SEAs.

14. Connecticut The State Department of Education formed a Scientifically Based Research Interventions State- Leadership Advisory Panel. The Commissioner of Ed invited 169 districts to a Literacy Summit which resulted in: – Dissemination of the Executive Summary – State-wide and Regional Conferences – Consistent Message – RtI Guidelines to all 169 districts

15. NEW YORK Most of NYSRAs Advocacy work is done with their SED NYSRA was invited to serve on States Expert Panel for IDEA regs NYSRA charges a significant sum for RTI conferences and is making money.

16. Some Things NY Learned If no ones doing it and you believe its important, find a way to do it yourselves. Stay in touch with P-16 needs. View PD as an investment in your organizations future. Find partners - network, network, network Think about Branding your organization

17. Funding to Support and Implement RTI Funding from IDEA can be spent in regular ed – 15% of IDEA Part B funds may be used for early intervention including evidence-based reading instruction. Title I School Wide funds can be used for: – Professional Development – Assessment – Materials – Other Services

18. WHAT IRA IS DOING RTI Commission Disseminating Information Sharing effective models Working with: – Special Education Groups – IDEA Partnership – RTI Action Network – NICHD

19. Resources for RTI Response to Intervention in the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act P.L. 108-446. http://idea.ed.gov/download/statute.html http://idea.ed.gov/download/statute.html IRA Resources: – Focus on Response to Intervention – RTI Resource Library www.reading.org