Special Report
Special Report

Monitoring Progress

Response to Intervention's Promise and Pitfalls
March 2, 2011
Response to intervention began as a way to identify and teach struggling readers and special education students. It's fast becoming a way to change schooling for everyone. This special report examines the many forms the approach is now taking, its research base, its influence on the educational marketplace, and the federal regulations that both fuel and restrict its growth. For the project, our reporters drew on interviews with researchers, curriculum developers, educators, parents, and students.
  • Education Funding Districts Must Walk a Fine Line to Fund RTI Programs
    Despite its growing popularity, RTI can be an awkward fit with some of the federal grant programs used to pay for it.
    Sarah D. Sparks, February 28, 2011
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    4 min read
    Student-teacher Angela Bradbury works with a student at Escalante Elementary School in Salt Lake City. She is getting a grounding in RTI in all her core classes at the University of Utah.
    Student-teacher Angela Bradbury works with a student at Escalante Elementary School in Salt Lake City. She is getting a grounding in RTI in all her core classes at the University of Utah.
    Trent Nelson for Education Week
    Teaching RTI Makes Few Inroads Into the Nation's Education Schools
    One exception is the University of Utah, where aspiring urban teachers get exposed to 'tiered-instruction' techniques in all their core classes.
    Stephen Sawchuk, February 28, 2011
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    7 min read
    Nine-year-old Ian Tomanelli, a 4th grade student at Marlborough Elementary School in Marlborough, Conn., pauses in his home. Because of his continuing problems with reading and writing, Ian became a candidate for a version of response to intervention being tried out in his school district.
    Nine-year-old Ian Tomanelli, a 4th grade student at Marlborough Elementary School in Marlborough, Conn., pauses in his home. Because of his continuing problems with reading and writing, Ian became a candidate for a version of response to intervention being tried out in his school district.
    Christopher Capozziello/AEVUM for Education Week
    Special Education Some Parents Remain Leery of RTI's Benefits
    While response to intervention has won over some parents, others complain the schooling approach has delayed needed services for children with learning problems.
    Maureen Kelleher, February 28, 2011
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    7 min read
    Special Education An Instructional Approach Expands Its Reach
    Response to intervention began as a way to identify and teach struggling readers and special education students. It's fast becoming a way to change schooling for everyone.
    Christina A. Samuels, February 28, 2011
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    4 min read
    IT Infrastructure & Management RTI's Growth Helps Buoy Education Marketplace
    While curriculum developers seek to capitalize on response to intervention's popularity, experts fret about an overreliance on canned approaches.
    Christina A. Samuels, February 28, 2011
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    5 min read
    Eighth grader Andro Benard, 14, reviews his behavior ratings at the end of Shawna A. Moore’s language arts class at Sylvester Middle School in Burien, Wash. As part of the school’s PBIS program, each day teachers rate 20 students, including Andro, on how well they demonstrate “five P’s”: being prompt, positive, polite, prepared, and productive.
    Eighth grader Andro Benard, 14, reviews his behavior ratings at the end of Shawna A. Moore’s language arts class at Sylvester Middle School in Burien, Wash. As part of the school’s PBIS program, each day teachers rate 20 students, including Andro, on how well they demonstrate “five P’s”: being prompt, positive, polite, prepared, and productive.
    Josie Liming for Education Week
    School Climate & Safety School Enlists Tiered Approach to Discipline
    A middle school in Washington state uses Positive Behavior Supports, or PBIS, to curb behavior problems.
    Mary Ann Zehr, February 28, 2011
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    8 min read
    School psychologist Anna Quintanilla works with 1st grader Martin Salazar at Lone Star Elementary School in the Sanger Unified School District near Fresno, Calif., where response-to-intervention techniques are being incorporated districtwide. Educators in the district say the new approach has expanded the role of counselors like Ms. Quintanilla.
    School psychologist Anna Quintanilla works with 1st grader Martin Salazar at Lone Star Elementary School in the Sanger Unified School District near Fresno, Calif., where response-to-intervention techniques are being incorporated districtwide. Educators in the district say the new approach has expanded the role of counselors like Ms. Quintanilla.
    Manny Crisostomo for Education Week
    Special Education Calif. District Uses RTI to Boost Achievement for All
    Educators in the Sanger, Calif., schools credit response to intervention for the district's dramatic test-score turnaround.
    Christina A. Samuels, February 28, 2011
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    10 min read
    Education Digital Edition: Monitoring Progress: Response to Intervention's Promise and Pitfalls
    February 28, 2011