Response+to+Intervention

=What is the Role and Effectiveness of The Response to Intervention Model(RTI) in Rhode Island Schools?=

I. Describe the Problem or Issue
The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004(IDEA) mandates all states to have a criteria that decides whether or not a child is eligible to receive Special Education Services as a child with a Specific Learning Disability. In 2007, the Rhode Island Department of Education Board of Regents voted to declare the Rhode Island Special Education Regulations, and to establish a State Criteria for Specific Learning Disabilities. The Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education approved the State Criteria on June 4, 2009. The new Criteria incorporates a timeline which phases in the the requirement for all Local Education Agencies(LEA's) to use the Response to Intervention Model(RTI) as a component of the eligibility, while phasing out the older model, which was the Severe Discrepancy Model. RTI is a problem solving process of deciding on appropriate supports and research based interventions to supplement the core curriculum to meet the needs of all learners. The key words in the definition are Problem Solving and All Learners. The new process involves students, parents, teachers and administrators working to enhance and support the learning needs of every student. Our report will examine the fundamental philosophy of RTI, the new State Criteria, what an RTI model looks like in our public schools, as well as, the benefits associated with this process.

II. Research
Our research looks at the role of RTI in Rhode Island Public Schools and the effectivess of the process in meeting the needs of all learners. Christian's research focuses on the definition of RTI and the philosophy behind the model. Alex's research focuses on the new State Criteria for determination of Specific Learning Disabilities. Alex's research outlines what the RTI model looks like in our public schools. _'s research shows evidence of the benefits to using Response to Intervention as part of the determination process.