What is RTI?

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a process that involves progress monitoring and ongoing evaluation of children's responsiveness to instruction and/or evidence-based interventions as a guide for instructional and eligibility decisions. The greatest benefits of RTI come from its utility as a framework for guiding service delivery for those with unmet needs.

The 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides a legal basis for RTI, indicating that schools can “use a process which determines if a child responds to a scientific, research-based intervention” as a mechanism for identifying (and subsequently serving) those with specific learning disabilities. The Nebraska Department of Education, via the Nebraska Response-to-Intervention (RTI) Consortium, is preparing schools to deliver RTI services by means of a state-wide implementation plan, training, evaluation and dissemination of results, and oversight of a quality implementation process. This website provides materials, information, and guidelines to support RTI implementation in the state of Nebraska.

RTI provides a framework for guiding instruction for all students. The legal basis for RTI is in the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which allows schools to “use a process which determines if a child responds to a scientific, research-based intervention.” This process involves progress monitoring and ongoing evaluation of children's responsiveness to instruction and/or sequences of customized evidence-based interventions as a guide for instructional intervention and eligibility decisions. RTI represents a fundamental shift in how students' difficulties are conceptualized and a monumental change in how needs are addressed through assessment and intervention activities. If you need assistance with RTI please call Dr. Greg Gaden at ESU 3 at 402-597-4934