Response to Intervention Explained

I've heard about Response to Intervention, but I really don't understand exactly what it is and how it will affect my child. Please explain. -- In the Dark
Answer: Response to Intervention (RTI) is alternatively called Response to Intervention and Instruction or Response to Instruction depending upon individual states. Intervention refers to how teachers and other staff will "intervene" in order to increase students' learning. Instruction places the emphasis on how teachers will continually change and adapt their instruction to respond to individual student needs. Whatever the name of the program is, its aim is to improve outcomes for all students.
RTI integrates assessment and intervention/instruction with a three-level prevention program to ensure that all students achieve, along with reducing behavior problems. How your child is affected by RTI depends on how rapidly his or her school is moving to implement it fully.
In a school using RTI, a screening program is used with every student. Then, based on the results of the screening, RTI provides support for all students at the intensity level each one needs to achieve academic success. Students are placed in one of three levels. As the year progresses, levels of intervention can change.
Level 1: Most students will be in this level, which is the grade-level classroom. Help is given in the form of research-based interventions to the class or individuals based on frequent assessment of the progress the group and individuals are making in meeting grade-level norms.
Level 2: Students placed in this level will receive classroom instruction plus supplementary instruction three to four times a week from 30 to 60 minutes for nine to 12 weeks in small groups (usually two to four students). The supplementary instruction is provided by trained personnel. These students are frequently monitored to see if they no longer need Level 2 services or may require Level 3 services.
Level 3: These students need more intense and more frequent interventions. They are having significant learning difficulties and have not been helped by Level 2 interventions. Special-education instruction is provided to these students individually or in small groups by special-education teachers. They may be pulled out of the classroom or be in a special class.
Students who need more support than provided in the level of prevention system will be further tested to identify their specific learning disability needs.
For more information on RTI, visit www.rti4success.org.