Responsiveness to Intervention (RTI) is a three step process that may help your child get the help he needs. The first step, or tier, of intervention is the regular classroom setting. All students would begin in this setting. As teachers introduce instruction, students' progress is monitored. Most students in this group will need additional help from time to time, and the teacher provides that guidance.
Tier two of RTI targets students who do not show progress with regular instructional intervention. In tier two, students receive more individualized instruction and intervention. They may work in smaller groups to allow one-on-one and small group instruction. During this process, teachers carefully evaluate the students' response to these interventions. Students who do well may be phased back into the regular classroom. Students who demonstrate the need for ongoing, intensive intervention will move into tier three.
Tier three is an ongoing, long-term program of diagnostic and prescriptive teaching and could be thought of as special education. In this level, students receive individualized instruction for as long as is necessary for them to acquire the skills they need to progress in school.
