Response to Intervention (RtI) is an outgrowth of changes in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. Previously, children who struggled academically in school had to:
- fit the qualifications of a legislated category (special education, 504, English Language Learners) to ensure there was funding for extra services; and
- fail significantly before being served.
Rules and regulations varied from state to state and level to level. A student who qualified for special education services in Minnesota might not qualify in Colorado. A student who qualified for special education services in elementary school might not qualify in middle school.
RtI’s goal is to meet the needs of all students at risk for failure, whether or not they qualify for a legislated program. RtI is an individual, comprehensive, student-centered problem-solving process. Educators employ research-based interventions in their efforts to increase student achievement. RtI then uses systematic monitoring of student progress to track student success. A student’s lack of response to regular education interventions becomes the determinant of need for additional, more intense interventions.
Response to Intervention Resources Parent Brochure AIMSweb Explanation