Backbone Communications » response to intervention

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Josh — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:37:03 +0000

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RTI – Response to Intervention Presentation

Josh — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:20:35 +0000

Schools and districts are applying the Response to Intervention (RtI) model to increase achievement for all students. Using a problem-solving approach that incorporates universal screening data, targeted prevention/intervention programs, and ongoing progress monitoring, the model provides a proven framework for the delivery of effective instructional practices matched to student needs.

More RTI – Response to Intervention Resources HERE

Still uncertain about your interest and understanding of RTI??

Dr. John McCook’s RTI Webinar Series

A consultant to school systems across the nation, Dr. John McCook has developed training programs in special education, Section 504, the pre-referral process, and implementing response to intervention (RtI) practices.

In this three-part series, Dr. McCook provides insight into three key elements of RtI:
Foundations of RtI, Support Teams, and the role of Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring.

Universal Screening – Understand the Power Behind School-Wide Testing

Josh — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:49:40 +0000

Universal screening is a single test of all students used for multiple grade levels. Age-appropriate skills is determined by National and State Standards. Questions provided must be research-based and tested over time. Universal screening allows schools to not only capture a benchmark skill level but also to make informative decisions over time.

What does all this mean? How can schools use this valuable information from the universal screener?

1) Information derived from repeated testing would prove the validity of the core curriculum instruction. A common school model is the “multi-tiered model”, also referred as RtI – Response to Intervention. The RtI model is specific on steps needed to be taken before students move from one tier to the next. Typically, 80% of all students will show adequate progress, working at grade level and improving. Universal Screening will separate these two groups (80% and 20%). FREE Informational Webinar: Foundations of Response to Intervention (RTI).

2) The other 20% are divided (differently among schools) between the tiers. Interventions are needed for these students who are not making the expected gains. An intervention is providing the student the same instruction in a different way (i.e. small groups, individual attention, computer/software attention). See Special Education Software, Reading Intervention Software, and Math Intervention Software.

It is important to understand the difference between skill deficits and performance deficits. Skill deficits indicate deficiencies in the students’ academics. The student does not have the skills required to work through the problem. Performance deficits are entirely different. A students low score might not be due to deficient skills but just a lack of desire to try. These students have the academic skills required to solve the problems correctly but just lack the desire to do so. Another universal screening, a different form of testing, is necessary to properly evaluate the academic skill level of the student.

At its most simple purpose, Universal Screening allows for true differentiated instruction. Today, educators want to know exactly the student’s Placement level so they receive the instruction they need. With technology, it is now possible to have curriculum instruction automatically prescribed to the student based on the universal screening. Providing the right content at the right time is every educator’s goal.

The Backbone Team

State Test Prep Software, AIMS Test Prep Software, Online Formative Assessments, Universal Screening, High School Credit Recovery Software, GED Prep Software, Reading Intervention Software, Math Intervention Software, Response to Intervention (RtI) Software, Special Education Software, English Language Learning (ELL) Software, English Language Development (ELD) Programs, Interactive Whiteboards, Classroom Clicker Software, State Standards Aligned Curriculum, Curriculum Software, Educational Software, Lexiles & Quantiles

Differentiated Instruction

Josh — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:37:07 +0000

What is Differentiated Instruction?

Differentiated Instruction Defined

“You will know that you are differentiating when you are providing more small group activities and these groups are flexible from activity to activity based on a variety of pre-assessment strategies. There will also be an increase in individual alternatives such as centers, contracts, independent study, and even homework assignments.

You will know that you have been successful at differentiating when: you begin to see yourself as an organizer of learning opportunities rather than the “sage on the stage”; your assessment and instruction become inseparable; you have created a community of learners who respect the individual differences within your classroom and can work independently according to the working conditions developed for your classroom; and finally, all your students, whether they are below, at, or above grade level, are feeling challenged and motivated to reach their maximum potential by learning new, meaningful, and essential concepts, principles, and skills.” – by Marianne Tillman

Universal Screening, school wide testing, allows teachers and administrators place and predict how students will perform on state tests.

An RTI model, Response to Intervention, should follow the universal screening test results.

Demo videos on software tools to help with Differentiated Instruction

The Backbone Team