Week 4, Assignment #1
From reading about RTI and watching the videos provided, I understand
that RTI is a program to intervene for struggling students in any subject area
which can be divided into three levels. The first level is core or universal
outcomes and teaching/caregiving strategies. This refers to the regular differentiated
instruction given in class (90 minutes) by the teacher/caregiver which every
students receives and it meets the needs of 80-85% of all students. If a
student is having trouble keeping up, then they receive more targeted/supplement
instruction for 30 minutes which is geared more for their needs. This usually
helps the 15% of students that need a little bit of extra supplementation to
catch up to the first level. Instruction is given in small groups of students
in a regular education classroom. If educators still feel that a student is
falling behind, usually only about 5% of students, then they move up to the
third level of instruction which is highly individualized. It is delivered by a
specialist or special education teacher in very small groups or individually.
The goal is for the students to catch up and need less intervention so that
they can be part of the bottom level which is universal outcomes. However, if students
in the third level still struggle they may need Special Education.
In the videos I watched, I was very impressed that the principal had
weekly meetings with her staff about RTI program. I think it was a very
important point that she made that this program is something that both the
teachers and students enjoy. When RTI is enjoyable so much more learning can be
accomplished. One question I still have about RTI is that when students are
getting the second or the third level of intervention, are they missing out on
other things going on in the classroom while they are receiving intervention?
You posed a good question about students losing out on what's going on in the classroom while they are receiving the intervention they need. I believe that during the time that they are out of the classroom the class is focusing on the same subject the student is outside the classroom. However this particular student is learning it on his individual level.
ReplyDeleteMissing out on other learning wouldn't be fun. I don't know since I have yet to work at a school that has this program but I would imagine that those students would be missing out on something, since they get lets say an hour of literacy as opposed to other students who would get half an hour....
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same, Shaindy. A Tier 3 student may have to go for an extra hour for special instruction. What's going on for the rest of the students?
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to arrange classroom activities in a way that students who need to go out do not miss out on crucial subjects or on other lessons within their area of struggle.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
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