Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of parents.

1. What is RTI?
2. What are the potential benefits of RTI?
3. What is Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring?
4. Will I know if my child is receiving extra help?
5. Who can I contact if I have more questions about RTI?

What is RTI?

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tier approach to the early 
identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs. The 
RTI process begins with high-quality instruction and universal screening of 
all children in the general education classroom. Struggling learners are 
provided with interventions at increasing levels of intensity to accelerate 
their rate of learning. These services may be provided by a variety of 
personnel, including general education teachers, special educators, and 
specialists. Progress is closely monitored to assess both the learning rate 
and level of performance of individual students. Educational decisions about 
the intensity and duration of interventions are based on individual student 
response to instruction. RTI is designed for use when making decisions in 
both general education and special education, creating a well-integrated 
system of instruction and intervention guided by child outcome data.  

RTI Action Network - www.rtinetwork.org

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What are the potential benefits of RTI?

Perhaps the most commonly cited benefit of an RTI approach is that it 
eliminates a �wait to fail� situation because students get help promptly 
within the general education setting. Secondly, an RTI approach has the 
potential to reduce the number of students referred for special education 
services. Since an RTI approach helps distinguish between those students 
whose achievement problems are due to a learning disability versus those 
students whose achievement problems are due to other issues such as lack of 
prior instruction, referrals for special education evaluations are often 
reduced. Finally, parents and school teams alike find that the student 
progress monitoring techniques utilized in an RTI approach provide more 
instructionally relevant information than traditional assessments.

RTI Action Network - www.rtinetwork.org

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What is Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring?

Universal Screening is a quick, academic assessment of age-appropriate 
skills. This assessment is administered at the beginning, mid, and end of 
the year to determine which students are �at risk� for not meeting grade 
level standards. 

Student Progress Monitoring is a scientifically based practice that is used 
to frequently assess students� academic performance and evaluate the 
effectiveness of instruction. Progress monitoring procedures can be used 
with individual students or an entire class.

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Will I know if my child is receiving extra help?

Yes. As soon as your child's teacher becomes aware that your child is 
struggling in the classroom, he/she will contact you and discuss their 
concern(s) and further actions.

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Who can I contact if I have more questions about RTI?

You can contact myself, Heather Simms, at 428-2253 or
Becky Terrell at 428-2252

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