Response to Intervention (RtI) / Frequently Asked Questions
A. What is the purpose of RtI?
In simplest form, RtI is one of the tools the school uses to help all children be successful. RtI assists Morris Area Staff:
- make a focused effort to identify the needs of a child
- provide a targeted intervention to support the child
- check the child’s progress on a regular basis to determine if the intervention is successful
B. What does a typical intervention look like?
Students receiving interventions meet one-on-one or in groups of two with an instructor for 15-20 minutes each day. An effort is made to select a time where the child will not miss any teacher led instruction in the core subject areas. The intervention a child receives will be targeted to their needs, and involves intense practice of pre-reading or reading based skills.
C. How many students are currently (or are scheduled) to be served?
Roughly 35% of Morris Area students (K-6) are currently receiving interventions under this program.
D. How do you select students?
All students in grades K-6 are screened three times each year using a program called AIMSweb. The screening tool is a simple reading passage – given at grade level – which students must read aloud to the adult tester. Students read the passage three times and the middle result is used as the student’s score. This score is compared to a target score. Research has shown that over 80% of children who reach this AIMSweb target score will also be successful on the MCA’s. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA’s) are measurements the state uses to determine school and student progress and passage is required for graduation. We also use NWEA scores, teacher observations, MCA’s, and various screening tools in the selection process.
E. How do you know if the intervention is benefiting the child?
Students are given a short test (progress monitoring) once weekly. A team of educators will examine this data on a regular basis and make decisions accordingly.
F. Can I look at or be involved in my child’s program?
Absolutely! Start by contacting the school principal. You can ask to see the progress monitoring data or ask about the current intervention your child is receiving. The principal may refer you to the classroom teacher or interventionist.