Building RtI Capacity logo

Building Capacity for Response to Intervention (RtI) in Texas Schools 2008-2009

Principal Investigator

Pam Bell, Ph.D.

Funding Agency

Texas Education Agency (TEA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Coordination

Overview

The Building Capacity for Response to Intervention (RtI) project is designed to promote the implementation of RtI in Texas schools. The RtI approach focuses on identifying students who are struggling with learning, assessing their needs, immediately providing additional intervention that targets their areas of difficulty, and monitoring their progress in and response to the intervention. The goal of RtI is to intervene early to prevent students from falling behind and developing learning difficulties. Major project activities include: 1) implementing and sustaining 3-Tier intervention models, 2) building statewide capacity for RtI implementation, and 3) disseminating RtI-related information and resources.

  1. Goal 1. Implement and sustain 3-Tier intervention models—Project staff members provide technical assistance and professional development to two Texas elementary schools implementing RtI through a 3-Tier Model in both reading (K-3) and mathematics (K-2.) The successes and challenges of the prototype schools’ implementation processes are described on a Web site as a resource for interested educators.
  2. Goal 2. Build capacity for RtI implementation statewide—Project team members collaborate with RtI specialists in the Education Service Centers (ESCs) and urban districts to enhance their expertise in the area of RtI. Team members support technical assistance and professional development efforts of RtI specialists at the ESCs and districts, including conducting professional development in regional locations.
  3. Goal 3. Disseminate RtI information—Project team members update a Web site, http://buildingRTI.utexas.org, with new information and tools for educators to support their implementation efforts. The Web site incorporates links to new Texas resources, such as parent booklets in both English and Spanish. The project team also collaborates with the Texas Education Agency to present the 2009 Texas RtI conference.

Timelines

During the 2008-2009 school year, the Building Capacity for RtI project team will describe the lessons learned from Spotlight schools implementing a 3-Tier Model of Response to Intervention. Additional resources will be created and added to the Web site, including professional development podcasts, an information booklet for parents (including a Spanish version), and tools for planning and reviewing school implementation progress. The 2009 RtI Leadership Summit will be held in Austin, TX, on June 8-9, 2009, at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.

Web Site

The Building Capacity for RtI Web site, http://buildingRTI.utexas.org, includes RtI-related information and resources, including short videos about RtI; descriptions of the Spotlight 3-Tier schools’ implementation efforts; examples of professional development; and tools the schools use for conducting needs assessment, planning, and professional development.