Response to Intervention and Instruction (RTII)

With the purpose of providing a forum to discuss students who demonstrate academic, behavioral, or social difficulties within the educational setting and how these difficulties are adversely affecting the student’s performance in the classroom, Young Scholars Charter School has a student support team referral process based on a Response to Intervention and Instruction (RTII) model.

The Student Support Team (SST) is comprised of a group of leaders, support staff, and teachers working together to ensure that each student receives the services and support necessary to meet individual needs and to increase academic success.

 

Tier I

This tier represents the general classroom. It is expected that about 80% of all students will progress without additional support. Grade Teams, comprised of teachers from that grade and a leadership team member, are a part of Tier 1. They meet every two weeks to discuss student progress and identify any students who have academic, behavioral, health, or attendance needs. As a team, they will collaborate and share ideas on how to help each student. They implement interventions within their classes. After about six weeks, a grade team member will refer a student to Tier 2 if the student is still not making progress.

 

Tier II

This tier provides remediation in basic skills of reading, writing, math or behavior to approximately 15% of all students in addition to the general classroom setting. Students demonstrate needs for Tier 2 interventions by their academic, behavioral, or social performance and are automatically diverted into 11 interventions that are targeted to meet their needs. The SST reviews all students recommended for Tier 2.

 

Tier III

This tier supports students who are considered treatment non-responders and who need more intense specialized instruction and assessment than provided in Tier 2. This tier is approximately 5% of students. In this tier, students receive more intensive interventions tailored to their individual needs. The SST regularly reviews progress of these students.

 

General SST Process

 

Universal Screening: The school uses universal screening to pre-identify students who need additional academic support with basic reading and math skills. Students scoring below the 25th percentile on NWEA MAP Reading and/or Math will be assigned to a Tier II intervention of Flex Reading and/or Aleks Math and progress monitored through these programs at least every 6 weeks. Aimsweb is also used as a progress monitoring tool for some students.

 

Parent Communication: Parents are notified of the need for Tier 2 and 3 interventions, associated programming, duration, frequency, service providers, and goals for services.

 

Student Progress Review: Services for students are reevaluated every 6-8 weeks to determine next steps. Students may move back to Tier 1 Universal Services, remain in Tier 2 or Tier 3 for services or be referred to the Director, Special Education for possible evaluation to determine if a disability exists and if special education and related services are needed.