What is RTI Resources

Learning Disabilities Resource Kit: Specific Learning Disabilities Determination Procedures and Responsiveness to Intervention

Responsiveness to Intervention: An Alternative Approach to the Identification of Learning Disabilities

Responsiveness to intervention (RTI): How to Do It

Responsiveness to Intervention School-Based Practices

National SEA Conference on SLD Determination: Integrating RTI within the SLD Determination Process

Responsiveness-to-Intervention Symposium

Core concepts of RTI

NRCLD Presentations

What is RTI?

Responsiveness to intervention is an education model that promotes early identification of students who may be at risk for learning difficulties. RTI, which may be one component in the process a school uses to determine whether a student has a specific learning disability, often involves tiers of increasingly intense levels of service for students. Most students will thrive in general education classrooms. For those who don't, a second tier will focus additional attention on the academic area in which the child struggles. More tiers may be available for students with greater needs.

RTI is a valuable construct because of its potential utility in providing appropriate learning experiences for all students and for its use in the early identification of students at risk for academic failure. Students benefit when their current levels of skill and ability are aligned with the instructional and curricular choices provided within their classroom. When a mismatch occurs, student learning and outcomes are lowered. For some students, typical classroom instruction is appropriate and meets their needs, but for others, success is not easy. The RTI hypothesis is that the earlier these floundering students are identified and provided appropriate instruction, the higher the likelihood they can be successful and maintain their class placement.

An NRCLD paper, Understanding Responsiveness to Intervention in Learning Disabilities Determination, defines the following core features of strong RTI:

  • High-quality research-based classroom instruction
  • Student assessment with classroom focus
  • Universal screening of academics and behavior
  • Continuous progress monitoring of students
  • Implementation of appropriate research-based interventions
  • Progress monitoring during interventions (effectiveness)
  • Teaching behavior fidelity measures