Response to Intervention (RtI)
A Tiered System of Intervention Delivery
Response to Intervention (RtI) is constructed around a 3-tiered model of intervention delivery (MTSS). Tier 1 is called “universal” because the methods used at this level are what all students receive. On the academic side, Tier 1 is the core curriculum, in each subject area, that all students receive in each classroom, at each grade level. On the behavioral side, Tier 1 is the school-wide/class-wide approach to behavior management used for all students (e.g., CHAMPs).Tier 2 is called “strategic” or “targeted” because these are interventions targeted to specific student problems. Tier 2 consists of strategies that are supplemental—that is, provided in addition to, not in place of, the core curriculum or behavior management approach. Tier 2 interventions are generally targeted to at-risk students and they are usually delivered in a small group format (e.g., a group of 5 struggling readers in a classroom is provided with supplemental reading instruction, from a reading coach, 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, in addition to receiving all core instruction in reading from the classroom teacher). Tier 3 is called “intensive” because at this level the student needs interventions that are specifically tailored to his/her needs and intensively focused. As at Tier 2, these interventions are supplemental—that is, provided in addition to all core instruction in the student’s area of difficulty.