Response to Intervention (RTI) Initial Implementation Top 10 Potential Perils and Pitfalls

1. Response to Intervention (RTI) Initial ImplementationTop 10 Potential Perils and Pitfalls Mary Barringer, Ph.D. The SBS Group

2. 10: Forging Ahead without a Map • Step 1: Needs and Readiness Analysis

3. Step 2: Comprehensive Plan • Baseline data • Budget • Data Management • Selection of Interventions • Prioritized Training Needs • Goals • Benchmarks • Timelines • Program/Outcome Evaluation • Staffing • Schedules • Fidelity Monitoring

4. 9: Changing Your Forms Without Changing Your Processes • Forms document the process • Don’t try to make what you are already doing “fit” into RTI-style forms • Be VERY careful about when your forms change from general education to special education • When do you suspect a disability • Failure to identify

5. 8: Problem Solving Teams are the New Pre-Referral Teams • Problem Solving Teams are the anti-referral team • Their job is to define the problem and identify the solution

6. 7: “You’re Already Doing This…” • Administrators must deal with staff resistance directly • Be honest • Provide support and training • Provide monitoring • Clearly convey your expectations • Don’t • Minimize • Try to please everyone

7. 6: Data Management? What Data Management? • Data to be managed • Results of Universal Screenings for Academics AND Behavior • By district • By school • By classroom • By student

8. Data to be Managed • District, building, classroom, student baseline data • Results of universal screenings • CBM • Who is getting what intervention • Response data

9. 5: Thinking That Tiers II and III Can Float Without a Tier I Supporting Them • You must start with effective instruction in ALL classrooms and universal screenings • Tier I is your foundation

10. 4: Failing to Monitor Treatment Fidelity • Fidelity Monitoring • If you want an intervention to be implemented you must directly monitor fidelity • Need forms for collecting and reporting monitoring data • Training for Monitors • If you don’t monitor the intervention you cannot use the response data for decision making

11. 3: Training? What Training? • Who needs what: • Administrators • Conducting a Needs Analysis • Intensive training in what RTI is and is not • Analyzing data • The critical importance of their leadership • Resource reallocation • Responding appropriately to resistance

12. Training: Who Needs What • Problem Solving Teams need At Least • Problem solving process/methods • Setting appropriate goals • Evaluating data • CBM • Evaluating “research based” interventions • Matching interventions to students • Fidelity Monitoring

13. Training: Who Needs What • Teachers need • Fundamentals of RTI • Differentiated Instruction • Curriculum Based Measurement • Graphing Response Data

14. Training: Who Needs What • Special Education Support Staff • Basics of RTI • Collaborative Teaming • Consultation • Changing roles

15. 2: DNQ? We’ll Just RTI Them Into SPED!! • Lack of a basic understanding of RTI among general education teachers and administrators

16. 1: “SPED Directors Owning It” • You are invited to this party but do not offer to be the hostess • Yes, everyone will be happy to let you, but… • No ownership by general education • No accountability for general education • Gatekeepers are great but the goal is to divert the traffic