Response to Intervention (RTI)

In our school, there is now something called Response to Intervention (RTI). What is the difference between RTI and special education, or are they the same thing under a different name? -- Want to Know
Answer: They are not the same programs. RTI involves evaluating every student in a school and placing the students in one of three tiers based on their needs: the regular classroom, small group tutoring within the classroom or by resource personnel at the school, and more intensive help using the resources typically found in special education programs. Some schools will have more levels of support. States set up their own RTI programs, so no two are just the same. Plus, school districts are not all on the same step in implementing these programs.
RTI, also called Response to Instruction, is part of the federal special education law. It seeks to prevent academic failure through early intervention. Some people feel that schools are using RTI in order to delay placing students in more-expensive-to-administer special education programs.