Central Elementary
"Response to Intervention"
Central Elementary was selected to be part of the, “Response to Intervention” (RTI) pilot program this school year. The No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act have increased the need for significant systemic changes at all levels of the education system. These federal laws are intended to hold schools accountable for improving student learning and enhance the academic performance of every child. As they strive to enhance student learning & performance, schools and districts are implementing meaningful, research-based strategies to improve instruction.
The RTI process is a multi-step approach to providing services and interventions to students who struggle with learning at increasing levels of intensity. The progress students make at each stage of intervention is closely monitored. Results of this monitoring are used to make decisions about the need for further research-based instruction and/or intervention in general education, in special education or both.
Central Elementary School began by conducting school-wide screenings in the areas of Reading, Math & Writing skills. These screenings are scheduled to take place at the beginning, middle & end of the year. Screening results, as well as teacher and RTI team input, are utilized to make critical decisions as to which students could benefit from this program. Students identified are placed on “Tier 1” and interventions by the regular classroom teacher begin. Most students receive these intense interventions 3 times per week in a group setting. Data is collected weekly to drive the decision for the next course of action. If growth is being made, the student continues until the RTI team feels this child is growing at a rate to meet the grade-specific end of year goal. The team may also decide the student requires more intense interventions to make progress. If a student is placed on Tier 2, he or she receives more intense research-based interventions such as individualized instruction on a daily basis. Intervention duration and frequency is increased at Tier 3 as well as the possible use of specialists (i.e. Special Education Teacher, Speech-Language Pathologist, School Psychologist, etc.) to provide the intense services.
Our RTI team meets every two weeks to determine date driven changes that need to be made. Our core RtI team here at Central consists of: Carol Burton, Principal, Cindy Pierce, Counselor, Kimberly Kysar, RtI Building Coordinator/Speech-Language Pathologist, as well as School Psychologists, Regular & Special Education Teachers and Reading Specialists. We feel very fortunate to have this pilot program at Central Elementary.
Consultative services are currently being provided by Dr. Gary Duhon, professor of school psychology at Oklahoma State University.
