Response to Intervention (RtI) – What Parents Need to Know

Over the last year or so, as a parent, you have probably heart the acronym RtI, or Response to Intervention (sometimes called Response to Instruction).  RtI is a practice in education that has the potential to have a powerful impact on student achievement in the educational setting.  The long and short of RtI is that it is a practice that attempts to look at the individual educational needs of a child and develop a plan to use the techniques and methodologies that are believed to be the most appropriate to help that child learn effectively. 

RtI also uses a multi-level approach to this practice.  If necessary, RtI will escalate to a more intensive level of intervention to help the child educationally.  Throughout this process, the school is gathering information and evidence to determine if the current interventions are working, and to evaluate if changes should be made to the methods of instruction that are being used.

Finally, RtI is not limited to just students with special needs.  It is a practice that is school-wide, and impacts every child.  The bottom line is that RtI is really asking the question, “How can we best teach this child?” and trying to provide the answer.  This is a very good thing, and something that, as a parent, you should embrace with all your heart because it will help your child in the educational setting.

Now, when it comes to children with special needs, there is also something you need to understand.  RtI does NOT supersede IDEA.  If you or someone involved with your child believes your child has a disability, and that concern is brought to the attention of the school district, then all the same timelines and requirements for evaluations to determine if special education services are required for the child must be met.  RtI is not a substitute for an IDEA evaluation. 

RtI and IDEA can and should work hand-in-hand, with RtI being a part of the IDEA evaluation process.  But it is important to note that evaluation for services under IDEA should NOT wait until an RtI evaluation is completed.  RtI does not replace IDEA or its requirements. 

Here in Florida, you should not run into that problem.  FLDOE and the district ESE departments understand these issues and are aware of them.  DOE and the districts have done their work to clarify this and make sure both processes are working they way they should.  But it is important that you as a parent also understand how these 2 very important legs in the educational process link and work together for your child.