Preparing hearts and minds for lives of leadership, service, and excellence.

RTI

What is Response to Intervention (RTI)

RTI is the practice of providing high-quality instruction/intervention matched to student needs and using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important educational decisions to guide instruction.

RTI is grounded in the belief that ALL students can learn and achieve high standards when provided with effective teaching, evidence-based instruction, and access to a standards-based curriculum. A comprehensive system of tiered interventions is essential for addressing the full range of student’s academic and behavioral needs. Collaboration among administrators, educators, families, and communities is the foundation of responsive education. On-going academic performance data should inform instructional decisions.

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a process for achieving higher levels of academic and behavioral success for all students through:

  • Equitable access to resources and learning standards
  • High-quality instructional practices
  • Balanced assessments for continuous review of student progress
  • Collaboration

Responsive Education Process

The St. Gabriel School's responsive education process is a shared responsibility; all staff members (general education teachers, intervention teachers, paraprofessionals, and student servicing staff) assume an active role in students’ assessment and instruction.

The St. Gabriel School’s responsive education process is based on the  Wisconsin Equitable Multi-Level System of Supports

This process includes three tiers.

  • Tier 1 (Universal) —how we use data and differentiate to meet the needs of all students.
  • Tier 2 (Selected)—how we intervene with small groups of students who either continue to struggle to meet benchmarks or exceed benchmarks.
  • Tier 3 (Targeted)—how we meet the needs of students who continue to struggle to meet benchmarks or exceed benchmarks in Tier 2.

What Does "Intervention" Mean at St. Gabriel Catholic School?

An intervention is anything a school does above and beyond what all students receive to help certain students succeed academically.

  • Tier 1 interventions are considered preventions
    • All students receive Tier 1 instruction.  This is grade-level material presented through differentiated instruction.
    • We don’t wait until the summative test to find out which students need more help.
  • Tier 2 interventions are when we continue to provide students with additional help to meet grade-level standards.
    • Students who need a little more help to master the essential standards because the teacher must move on to the next unit.
    • The defining characteristics of Tier 2 are not the size of the group or the duration of the intervention.  It is defined by the Targeted Learning Outcomes.
    • Only 10% - 20% of students will receive Tier 2 interventions.  These interventions will be conducted by the classroom teacher during class time to help the student master current skills.
  • Tier 3 interventions are efforts to fill in the gaps
    • This happens when a student’s struggles are rooted in a lack of skills and knowledge from previous years of study.
    • Only 5% - 10% of students will receive Tier 3 Interventions.  These interventions will take place with our RTI teacher outside of classroom instruction.  They will be pulled from class time outside of reading, language arts, and or math to work on specific targeted learning outcomes.
    • A student receiving Tier 3 Interventions will be assigned a Case Manager who will facilitate parent meetings, monitor students' progress, meet with the RTI teacher and student on a regular basis, and help ensure that the student is meeting their full potential.

Common Misunderstandings About RTI:

  • RTI is NOT a tutoring program for students
  • Students cannot be added to Tier 3 because a parent or teacher wants them there
    • They need to meet certain criteria for intensive interventions
  • RTI is NOT intensive 1-on-1 instruction for all students
  • RTI is NOT a “process” to identify students for special education
  • RTI is NOT more of the same kind of instruction and work

If your child qualifies for the RTI program, you will be notified by their teacher.

For any questions, please contact:

Kim Lestina - Principal (klestina@sgabriel.org)

Sarah Kohls - RTI Teacher (skohls@sgabriel.org)

-This program was awarded $10,000 from an Archdiocese G.I.F.T. Grant that we applied for in March 2022.