Goal
The goal of RTI is to increase the effectiveness of instruction so students achieve Grade Level Expectations. Through the use of RTI, you can be better prepared to work toward the district's mission of educating all students for success in life. RTI provides a system for all students to receive instruction based on their needs, whether it's those needing intervention, students who are right on track or those who require accelerated instruction.
How it works
RTI follows a simple plan of continuous instruction, screening, intervention and monitoring.
1. Core instruction
When fully implemented, all students receive high-quality reading and math instruction. The lessons are aligned to Grade Level Expectations and state standards.
2. Universal screening
All students' reading and math skills will be assessed three times each year. Universal screening helps educators identify the learning needs of all students and guide core instruction.
The district is using two types of assessments for universal screening, AIMSweb and COREK12. Each assessment tool targets critical skills and specific grade levels.
AIMSweb – Grades K–4. Assessment is individually administered and takes about five minutes per child.
COREK12 – Grades 5–10. Entire class is assessed at the same time on computers. Screening takes about 45 minutes, or the equivalent of one class period.
3. Intervention
Instructional interventions are used in addition to core instruction. The interventions are based on the needs of the students, as determined by the universal screening.
4. Progress monitoring
Brief measures, lasting one to five minutes, of basic reading and math skills. The monitoring measures the effects of interventions for at-risk students. Progress monitoring may occur up to four times per month, based on student need. AIMSweb is the tool used for intervention progress monitoring of all students in grades K–12.
RTI in ASD
In 2006, an ASD committee designed a framework to integrate curriculum, instruction and assessment. The group has been working behind the scenes until this school year when the Anchorage School Board approved funds to purchase screening and assessment tools necessary to implement RTI in ASD. The district RTI Implementation Team is made up of teachers and principals from elementary, middle and high schools, and several department representatives. It is now working to plan implementation and professional development for the RTI system in all ASD schools and programs. The Implementation Team continues to address concerns and incorporate ideas from all areas of the district.
RTI will begin in the 2011-12 school year in all elementary schools, Clark and Mirror Lake middle schools, and Bartlett and Dimond high schools. Remaining schools will begin RTI the following year, with full implementation at all schools in 2014-15.
Download the RTI brochure for parents (PDF)
What this means to employees
Educators currently rely on assessments that provide results at the end of the school year, which is too late to intervene and alter instruction. Universal screening and progress monitoring tools are sensitive to instruction, so they provide multiple opportunities during the year to review data and adjust instruction.
As an educator, this means you will have valuable information about student performance in a timely manner. You will now have common information on students' reading and math skills both within your school and across the district. This will prove beneficial, given that one in four of ASD's students is transient.
What this means to parents
Parents and guardians will receive more frequent information on their child's academic progress and instruction. This easy-to-understand information also will provide them with specific details about what they can work on with their children at home.
What this means to students
For reading and math, students will be able to see which areas they are strong in and which areas could use more work. They'll feel and be more successful because teachers will receive better information on their performance while class lessons and instruction will be matched to their needs.
Frequently asked questions
Get answers to many common questions about RTI on the FAQ page.
Timeline
Universal screening and progress monitoring will be phased in to ASD schools to ensure adequate staff support for the program.
2011-12 school year
Universal screening – Reading
- • All elementary schools
- • Clark and Mirror Lake middle schools
- • Bartlett and Dimond high schools
Grades K-1
Aug. 16 – Sept. 9, 2011
Nov. 28 – Dec. 15, 2011
Apr. 16 – May 4, 2012
Grades 2-8
Aug. 22 – Sept. 9, 2011
Nov. 28 – Dec. 15, 2011
Apr. 16 – May 4, 2012
Grades 9-10
Sept. 6 – 23, 2011
Jan. 17 – Feb 4, 2012
Apr. 23 – May 11, 2012
Parents and guardians should expect
to receive their child's fall universal
screening results at the end of the
first quarter, in October, with their
child's report card. Teachers will
explain each child's score during
parent-teacher conferences.
2012-13 school year
Universal screening - Reading
Progress monitoring – Reading
2013-14 school year
Universal screening – Reading
Universal screening – Math
- All elementary schools
- 2 middle schools
- 2 high schools
Progress monitoring – Reading
2014-15 school year
Full RTI implementation
Universal screening – Reading and Math
Progress monitoring – Reading and Math
Want more information?
Talk to your school principal about the differences and benefits RTI will make in your school.
Key terms
Core Instruction–All students receive high-quality reading and math instruction.
The lessons are aligned to grade level expectations and state standards.
Universal Screening–All students' reading and math skills will be assessed
three times each year. Universal screening helps educators identify the learning
needs of all students and guide core instruction.
The district is using two types of assessments for universal screening,
AIMSweb and COREK12. Each assessment tool targets critical skills and
specific grade levels.
AIMSweb–Grades K-4. Assessment is individually administered and takes
about five minutes per child.
COREK12–Grades 5-10. Entire class is assessed at the same time on computers.
Screening takes about 45 minutes, or the equivalent of one class period.
Intervention–Instruction interventions are used in addition to core instruction.
Interventions are based on the needs of the students, as determined by the
universal screening.
Progress Monitoring–Brief measures, lasting one to five minutes, of basic
reading and math skills. The monitoring measures the effects of interventions
for at-risk students. Progress monitoring may occur up to
four times per month, based on student need. AIMSweb is the
tool used for intervention progress monitoring of all students in
grades K-12.
Download the RTI fact sheet (PDF)
