Supporting Schools in RTI: An Article Review

Hoover, J. J., & Love, E. (2011). Supporting School-Based Response to Intervention: A Practitioner's Model. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(3), 40-48. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

This article is a behind the scences look at RTI. It tells of how RTI model offers a process that enables a school to apply RTI principles to its unique setting and concerns. Over 70% of school districts nationally are implementing RTI. The article tells the 4 key elements to successfully implementing RTI models. Also, it tells the background people need to become RTI team leaders and the 5 stages in the process. The article helps identify some issues that may arise with RTI and ways to handle the issues in the most effective way. Also, several decision making strategies for RTI are identified that could be very helpful.

·         RTI model offers a process that enables a school to apply RTI principles to its unique setting and concerns.

·         All states are in the process implementing some form of RTI to meet the educational needs of struggling learners; over 70% of schools districts, nationally are implementing RTI.

·         Key elements to successfully implementing RTI models

1.       Multitiered or layered instruction

2.       Using data-driven decision making

3.       Evidence based practice

4.       RTI evidence for proper special education placement

·         5 stages in the school based RTI team leader process

·         RTI school level issues solutions

1.       PowerPoint presentations

2.       Guides/checklists to assist team members

3.       Demonstration of suggested solutions

4.       Ongoing team discussions

·         Decision making items

1.       Gap analysis

2.       Rate of progress

3.       Cut score

4.       Decision rules

·         School level RTI issues and associated research findings

I found the article to be very informative when trying to understand RTI from the RTI leader perspective. This article is basically a guide for people planning on being an RTI team leader or individuals that are currently RTI team leaders. The stages are identified in the article of how to become a team leader for RTI. Also, the article taught me how to handle issues that may arise in RTI and some decision making strategies.