Between the Lines
What is Response to Intervention (RtI)?
RtI is an assessment and intervention process promoted by the U.S. Department of Education for systematically monitoring student progress and determining the need for instructional modifications or increasingly intensified services using progress monitoring data.* Educators screen children early in their schooling to determine their risk for academic failure.
The model—typically divided into three tiers—looks at a curriculum and how it is taught. RtI helps educators identify and remediate problems in the context of general education. In addition, schools that have adopted the RtI approach are less likely to dump students needlessly into special education.
Tier 1: Core curriculum: general education
Tier 2: Targeted intervention: general education, but extra attention given in the classroom to struggling students
Tier 3: Intensive intervention: special education for students who continue to struggle even after Tier 2 intervention
Adapted from Reschly, 2006
The Handwriting Without Tears Role in RtI
- A developmental, research-based approach
- Small tool use appropriately sized for students
- A clean, vertical style of writing that is easier for all children to learn
- A capitals first approach to early letter instruction that builds a strong foundation for success
- Use of double lines to teach correct formation, size, and control
- Teaching and remediation strategies for each grade level
* National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), 2005
