Hey everyone!!! Schools’ use of RTI tends to be focused on the early elementary grades and limited to the academic area of reading, with some focus on early math. Why do you think that is so??
I think part of it is that the RTI system is relatively new. It is recent that now nearly all schools require its use in order to identify learning disabilities. The focus on reading could be because literacy is the foundation for everything else students will learn throughout their education. If a student has severe learning difficulties in second grade and makes less than a minimal improvement, it will more than likely effect his seventh grade social studies class extremely difficult. Studies with RTI in mathematics is even more new than in literacy. Math is the other piece of the foundation to a student's educational success. It is surprising to me that more studies haven't been done on the topic. I think that the difficulty lies in a strong method of assessment to indicate the strength or weakness of various math skills.
I agree with Vanessa. I think the RTI system is fairly new. Also with the structure of RTI, the teacher really has to be a decision maker. There are assessment and such, but the teacher may have to constantly tweak and change it depending on the student. I think some districts and teachers may be hesitant to do so, which can make it less effective. It is harder to implement in a content area because there is so much to assess: prior knowledge, reading etc.
Great discussion here! It is certainly pretty new. Let's find out what NYS has done for RTI. Here's another helpful link to learn about RTI in general and in literacy. http://www.reading.org/Resources/ResourcesByTopic/ResponseToIntervention/Overview.aspx
There is such a movement to improve literacy in this country that other subjects fall short. Although I have noticed that some teachers are offering extra help in math for students in the elementary level. It is not called RTI, but it is an intervention to keep students from failing. In my district, teachers have early morning class to help students that are indicating they are struggling. At the middle school and high school levels, similar programs are set in place for struggling students.
I agree with everynoe, one reason of RTI;s limitations may well be the fact that is it still new. I feel thatthe RTI process has the potential to limit the amount of academic failure that any student experiences and to increase the accuracy of special education assessments. Its use may perhaps also reduce the number of children who are mistakenly identified as having learning disabilities when their learning problems are actually due to cultural differences, or simply lack of adequate instruction. Information and data gathered by an RTI process can lead to earlier identification of children who have true disabilities and are in need of special education services. Like any successful school initiative, parents play a critical role in RTI.
I think part of it is that the RTI system is relatively new. It is recent that now nearly all schools require its use in order to identify learning disabilities. The focus on reading could be because literacy is the foundation for everything else students will learn throughout their education. If a student has severe learning difficulties in second grade and makes less than a minimal improvement, it will more than likely effect his seventh grade social studies class extremely difficult.
ReplyDeleteStudies with RTI in mathematics is even more new than in literacy. Math is the other piece of the foundation to a student's educational success. It is surprising to me that more studies haven't been done on the topic. I think that the difficulty lies in a strong method of assessment to indicate the strength or weakness of various math skills.
I agree with Vanessa. I think the RTI system is fairly new. Also with the structure of RTI, the teacher really has to be a decision maker. There are assessment and such, but the teacher may have to constantly tweak and change it depending on the student. I think some districts and teachers may be hesitant to do so, which can make it less effective. It is harder to implement in a content area because there is so much to assess: prior knowledge, reading etc.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion here! It is certainly pretty new. Let's find out what NYS has done for RTI. Here's another helpful link to learn about RTI in general and in literacy.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reading.org/Resources/ResourcesByTopic/ResponseToIntervention/Overview.aspx
There is such a movement to improve literacy in this country that other subjects fall short. Although I have noticed that some teachers are offering extra help in math for students in the elementary level. It is not called RTI, but it is an intervention to keep students from failing. In my district, teachers have early morning class to help students that are indicating they are struggling. At the middle school and high school levels, similar programs are set in place for struggling students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everynoe, one reason of RTI;s limitations may well be the fact that is it still new. I feel thatthe RTI process has the potential to limit the amount of academic failure that any student experiences and to increase the accuracy of special education assessments. Its use may perhaps also reduce the number of children who are mistakenly identified as having learning disabilities when their learning problems are actually due to cultural differences, or simply lack of adequate instruction. Information and data gathered by an RTI process can lead to earlier identification of children who have true disabilities and are in need of special education services. Like any successful school initiative, parents play a critical role in RTI.
ReplyDelete