What does RTI stand for in relation to special education services?

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a structured approach used in educational settings to identify students who may need additional support in their learning. The main components of RTI involve providing high-quality instruction and interventions that are matched to student need, monitoring progress frequently, and using data to inform instruction and intervention decisions.

The process often begins with high-quality classroom instruction, and then students who are struggling receive targeted interventions. If the student's response to these interventions is monitored and analyzed, educators can better understand the student's learning needs and tailor supports accordingly. The ultimate goal of RTI is to help all students succeed academically and to identify those who may require special education services earlier, thus improving outcomes for students with learning difficulties.

RTI serves as a crucial framework for educators to enhance their response to student needs, leading to more effective teaching strategies that can help address learning gaps.