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What is Response to Intervention (RTI)?

Response to Intervention (RtI) is a general education approach of high-quality instruction, early intervention and prevention and behavioral strategies aligned within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. RtI is defined as the practice of providing (1) high-quality instruction/intervention matched to student needs and (2) using learning rate over time and level of performance to (3) make important educational decisions.

Response to Intervention (RtI) integrates assessment and intervention within a multi‐level prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems. Schools use data to identify students at risk for poor learning outcomes, monitor student progress, provide evidence‐based interventions and adjust the intensity and nature of those interventions depending on a student’s responsiveness, and identify students with learning disabilities or other disabilities. The essential components of a RtI framework are screening, progress monitoring, multi-level or multi-tier prevention system and databased decision making. These are the foundation principles of an RtI framework.