Tier Information


Rutherford County Schools is committed to helping all children succeed. We have many ways to help children who are struggling to learn and who need additional supports to be successful. Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI²) is one form of support. 

 

What is RTI²? 

 

A multi-tiered delivery system that uses a data-driven, problem-solving model to identify specific student needs and matches appropriate instructional strategies to the student’s needs. 

In Tennessee, the Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI²) Framework is a component of TNCORE. The TNCORE implementation plan has three components with student achievement at the center: 

  1. Assessment alignment and transparency 
  1. Instructional materials and curriculum 
  1. Quality training and meaningful support 

 

What does the RTI² Framework look like? 

The RTI² Framework has three tiers. Each tier provides differing levels of support. 

  1. In Tier l, all students receive research-based, high quality, general education instruction that incorporates ongoing universal screening and ongoing grade level assessment to inform instruction. 
  1. In Tier ll, intervention is implemented when assessments indicate that a student is not making adequate gains from Tier I instruction alone. In addition to Tier I instruction, students are provided interventions designed to meet their specific needs. These students are progress monitored weekly or bi-weekly, using a tool that is sensitive to measuring changes in the students’ individual skills. 
  1. In Tier III, more intensive interventions are provided to students who have not made significant progress in Tier II, who are more than 1.5 grade levels behind, or who are below the 10th  
    percentile on the universal screener. These students are progress monitored weekly or bi-weekly using a tool that is sensitive to measuring changes in the students’ individual skills. 

 

 
 

 

What are the key components of the RTI² Framework? 

A key component of RTI² is that all children receive high quality curriculum and instruction in the general education classroom (Tier l). 

 

Another component of RTI² is that the school conducts universal screenings. Universal screenings review the performance and progress of all students through brief assessments. Universal screenings help schools identify students who may need more support or other types of instruction. 

 

As a result of universal screenings, students may be identified as needing targeted intervention (Tier ll) in addition to the high quality instruction they are receiving in Tier l. Research based interventions are used to support students in the area(s) in which they are struggling. Research based interventions are teaching strategies or methods that have been proven effective in helping children learn. 

 

Another key component of RTI² is progress monitoring. Progress monitoring is a way for teachers to take a snapshot of how children are doing on a specific skill. It shows how well the intervention is working. It includes formal and informal assessments. Progress monitoring helps determine whether an intervention is successful or needs to be changed.  Parents will be notified of their child’s progress every 4.5 weeks. 

 

When progress monitoring indicates that the intervention is no longer needed, the child continues to receive support from the general education curriculum (Tier I). If progress monitoring shows that a child is not responding to the intervention, another approach or intervention may be tried. If a higher level of support is needed, students may be given more intense intervention that further focuses on the supporting skills they need to be successful learners (Tier lll). Students who do not respond to Tier III interventions may be referred for Special Education assessment.  

 

What if I think my child needs Special Education? 

If at any time, parents become concerned that their child needs Special Education, they should contact their child’s teacher or administrator. Other forms of evaluation, in addition to information gathered through the RTI² framework, are needed to determine if a student is eligible for special education services. In order for these evaluations to be conducted, a parent’s written consent is required. 

 

Here are a few ways parents can support what their child is doing in school: 

  1. Make reading an everyday habit at home. 
  1. Communicate with your child’s teacher. 
  1. Monitor and assist with homework assignments. 
  1. Review progress monitoring data. 
  1. Share your child’s successes. 
  1. Learn more about the curriculum and interventions being used in your child’s school. 
  1. Attend parent/teacher conferences and other school meetings about your child. 
  1. Talk to your child’s teacher or principal for more information about how RTI² is being implemented in your child’s school.