Struggling learners often need alternate or differentiated instruction to motivate them and encourage them to be successful in school. It is important to build a student's self-esteem, self-efficacy and self-motivation. Through the tiered Response to Intervention (RTI) process, teachers can provide interventions based upon individual student need.
The majority of students within a classroom will respond to Tier I interventions. That is, they will generally be able to have success in academic studies and behavior management without additional support from a specialist.
Approximately 5-15% of students may not enjoy this type of success and will need Tier II intervention from a highly qualified specialist or teacher with a degree in the area of study a student is struggling with. Using a team approach is to identify a student's needs is important to gain varying perspectives of how a child is performing in multiple settings. Included in the RTI team should be the Classroom Teacher(s), Specialists, School Nurse, Psychologist, Social Worker, Parent and/or parent advocate, and a School Administrator.
Baseline assessments and work samples of the struggling learner may be required to begin the process. Team meetings are held to discuss the types and frequency of a student's difficulties. Strategies and recommendations are made to help the student and they must be progress monitored on a continual basis to determine how the strategies are working. Within the process, it may be determined that the student should begin receiving Academic Intervention Services (AIS) from a Specialist. Generally the interventions put in place for the student should be faithfully followed and his/her progress closing monitored. If after a period of approximately six weeks the student is still not showing success, the RTI Team should meet again to adjust the interventions. If however, the student still does not show improvement, it may be necessary to conduct further testing such a full battery of formal psycho-educational assessments to determine if there are other factors interfering with the student's progress.
Below are some suggestions and resources for helping children who may need Tier II instruction.Computer-based technology generally seems to provide students with a fun and motivational tool to engage in academic learning. Here are some fun interactive sites that can be used in the classroom or at home.
The majority of students within a classroom will respond to Tier I interventions. That is, they will generally be able to have success in academic studies and behavior management without additional support from a specialist.
Approximately 5-15% of students may not enjoy this type of success and will need Tier II intervention from a highly qualified specialist or teacher with a degree in the area of study a student is struggling with. Using a team approach is to identify a student's needs is important to gain varying perspectives of how a child is performing in multiple settings. Included in the RTI team should be the Classroom Teacher(s), Specialists, School Nurse, Psychologist, Social Worker, Parent and/or parent advocate, and a School Administrator.
Baseline assessments and work samples of the struggling learner may be required to begin the process. Team meetings are held to discuss the types and frequency of a student's difficulties. Strategies and recommendations are made to help the student and they must be progress monitored on a continual basis to determine how the strategies are working. Within the process, it may be determined that the student should begin receiving Academic Intervention Services (AIS) from a Specialist. Generally the interventions put in place for the student should be faithfully followed and his/her progress closing monitored. If after a period of approximately six weeks the student is still not showing success, the RTI Team should meet again to adjust the interventions. If however, the student still does not show improvement, it may be necessary to conduct further testing such a full battery of formal psycho-educational assessments to determine if there are other factors interfering with the student's progress.
Below are some suggestions and resources for helping children who may need Tier II instruction.Computer-based technology generally seems to provide students with a fun and motivational tool to engage in academic learning. Here are some fun interactive sites that can be used in the classroom or at home.