RTI benefits children who have undiagnosed learning disabilities but have not met special education eligibility in previous testing under discrepancy method formulas. These kids are sometimes referred to as gray area kids or kids who fell through the cracks. These children were literally "falling through the cracks" of the school system because they couldn't get the help they needed in special education or from regular education.
RTI can help these low-achieving children who have been lost in the maze of special education eligibility laws under previous versions of the IDEA. It allows schools the flexibility to provide more individualized instruction to children who need it, based on demonstrated needs and not simply on test scores.
