RTI and PBS are tiered interventions designed to increase the effectiveness of instruction so students achieve grade level expectations. Through the use of RTI/PBS, stakeholders can be better prepared to work toward the district's mission of educating all students for success in life. RTI provides a system for students to receive instruction based on their needs, whether it's those needing intervention, students who are right on track, or those who require accelerated instruction. PBS provides a framework for schools to establish and maintain school environments where the social culture and behavioral supports needed for an effective learning environment are in place for all students.

What this means to parents

Parents and guardians will receive more frequent information on their child's academic and/or behavioral progress and instruction. This easy-to-understand information also will provide them with specific details about what they can work on with their children at home.

 What this means to students

For reading and math, students will be able to see which areas they are strong in and which areas could use more work. They'll feel and be more successful because teachers will receive better information on their performance while class lessons and instruction will be matched to their needs. For behavior, students will learn to monitor their own behaviors through clearly defined expectations.

What this means to employees

Educators often rely on assessments that provide results at the end of the school year, which is too late to intervene and alter instruction. Universal screening and progress monitoring tools are sensitive to instruction, so they provide multiple opportunities during the year to review data and adjust instruction. This means teachers will have valuable information about student performance in a timely manner.

How it works

RTI and PBS follow a simple plan of continuous instruction, screening, intervention and monitoring.

• Core instruction - When fully implemented, all students receive high-quality reading and math instruction. The lessons are aligned to grade level expectations and state standards.
• Universal screening - All students' reading and math skills and behavior will be assessed three times each year. Universal screening helps educators identify the learning needs of all students and guide core instruction.
• Intervention - Instructional interventions are used in addition to core instruction. The interventions are based on the needs of the students, as determined by the universal screening.
• Progress monitoring - This ongoing monitoring measures the effects of interventions for identified students. Progress monitoring may occur up to four times per month, based on student need.