A New Module from the IRIS Center, "RTI: Considerations for School Leaders"

The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements, a national center that provides, "free, online, interactive training enhancements that translate research about the education of students with disabilities into practice," has posted the fifth online training module in its Response to Intervention (RTI) series, "Star Legacy Modules."

The latest module, entitled, "RTI: Considerations for School Leaders" was crafted to provide school principals with information and strategies for implementing Response to Intervention.  In this module, a short, illustrated video is used in tandem with a multi-page, step-by-step presentation to highlight the numerous components involved in an effective, school-wide RTI adoption. 

"RTI: Considerations for School Leaders" chronicles fictional principal, Mr. Rodney T. Irwin, as he embarks upon the journey of RTI implementation, after learning about the RTI approach. The module offers some fundamental questions for principals to consider prior to building-level RTI implementation. The questions are followed by "answers" and detailed explanations of the many steps a principal must take to ensure successful RTI adoption. In addition, suggestions and strategies are provided to assist those principals looking to follow Mr. Irwin’s enlightened lead, and initiate RTI in their own buildings.

The questions considered paramount to effective RTI implementation are:

• What information does Mr. Irwin need to consider before proceeding?
• How can Mr. Irwin build support for adopting the RTI approach at Mayflower Elementary?
• What should schools consider when deciding whether or not to adopt the RTI approach?
• What are some factors that should be addressed when implementing the RTI approach?
• How can schools assess whether or not the RTI approach is effective?
  

Each of these questions is answered in great detail, along with suggested steps, and logical, executable strategies for RTI adoption at the building level.  Strategies discussed include, but are not limited to:

• Team building and the importance of creating teams with all impacted staff represented (e.g., school principal, grade-level chairs, school counselors, special education teachers, school psychologists, ESL instructors, parent representative(s), and community representatives);
• Building true and lasting, school-wide support for RTI;
• How to evaluate a school’s readiness for RTI implementation;
• Practical solutions for RTI funding; and
• Evaluation of RTI process once implementation has been completed.
  

View the Star Legacy Module, "RTI: Considerations for School Leaders" on the IRIS Center Web site.

Additional Resources:

Teaching Exceptional Children

LD News Response to Intervention Archive 
Every month in LD News, NCLD highlights the latest news, research and practices in Response to Intervention.

Response to Intervention section in NCLD's Infozone 
NCLD has compiled a robust listing of RTI information and support materials housed on the NCLD Web site, as well as other leading organizations.
 
A Parent's Guide to Response to Intervention   
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a new provision that allows states and school districts to use high quality, research-based instruction in general and special education to provide services and interventions to students who struggle with learning and may be at risk, or suspected of having, learning disabilities. This NCLD guide offers an overview of the RTI process, describes how it is implemented in schools, and offer questions that parents can ask their children's schools.  
 
LD Talk Transcript: Reading and Response to Intervention (RTI): How Students Benefit from Multi-Tiered Instruction and Intervention
This April 2007 LD Talk featured experts Drs. Sharon Vaughn and Jeanne Wanzek, who answered questions about features of evidence-based reading instruction, the delivery of effective supplemental services, the importance of collecting and using data to inform instruction, as well as offering valuable information about the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI).