Workshops

RTI: Giving the Classroom Teacher the Necessary Tools to Serve as an Intervention ‘First Responder’

Workshop Description

Classroom teachers are the ‘first responders’ who provide intervention assistance to students who are beginning to struggle with academic skills. This workshop clarifies questions about the use of RTI interventions in elementary school classrooms. Participants learn an approach that gives g eneral-education teachers the RTI tools to:

define student academic and behavioral problems in clear, specific terms.
conduct instructional (‘analytic’) assessments to better profile academic strengths and limitations of individual students.
select appropriate evidence-based interventions that can be used in general-education settings and appropriately document the use of those interventions.

This workshop will also highlight free Internet resources for evidence-based academic and behavioral intervention ideas.

Workshop Outcomes

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

define student problems in specific terms that allow for effective problem-solving.
understand classroom-friendly assessment methods to map a student’s academic skills and deficits.
have confidence in their selection of interventions to match presenting student classroom concerns and know how to document those interventions appropriately.

access websites that offer free, evidence-based intervention resources.

NOTE: If you are interested in scheduling this workshop for your school district or organization, email Jim Wright at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Type ‘Information Request’ in the subject line and include the title of this workshop in your message.

Developing Effective RTI Reading Interventions: Guidelines for Schools

Workshop Description

Literacy skills form a foundation for student school succe ss. This workshop delivers technical assistance to elementary schools in how to set up a comprehensive RTI reading intervention model that will provide early identification and remediation of struggling readers—while also reliably identifying those ‘non-responding’ students who may eventually require special education services. The workshop provides guidelines for (1) identifying effective ‘evidence-based’ reading programs, (2) selecting appropriate methods to monitor student reading progress, and (3) implementing, documenting, and evaluating the right customized reading intervention plan for each struggling learner. All workshop strategies are tied to the multi-tier RTI problem-solving model now in use in schools across the nation.

Workshop Outcomes

As a result of this workshop, participants will be knowledgeable of:

how the RTI model supports effective reading interventions.
criteria that qualify a reading program as ‘evidence-based’.
a range of instruments and measures appropriate for measuring student reading progress.
recommendations for setting up small-group RTI reading interventions.
guidelines for creating, documenting, and evaluating successful individualized student intervention plans.
free reading intervention and assessment resources available on the Internet to help schools to develop their own comprehensive RTI reading plan.

Finding the Right Spark: Strategies for Motivating the Resistant Learner at the Middle & High School Level

Workshop Description

As middle and high schools institute RTI, poor student motivation is a central concern. This workshop presents four major approaches to increase motivation and school participation among struggling learners in middle and high school-school classrooms.

The training demonstrates how to (1) target ‘levers of influence’ in the instructional environment that can increase student work engagement; (2) identify evidence-based ideas to motivate students toward active accurate academic engagement; (3) empower students to become self-advocates with input into their own RTI plans; and (4) provide feasible strategies for teachers to forge stronger relationships with marginal students.

Workshop Outcomes

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

motivate the struggling student through changes in the instructional environment, social interaction, learning activities, and reinforcement for learning.
select intervention strategies that increase the probability that an unmotivated student will engage in academic activities.
develop the necessary school supports to encourage students to become self-advocates with a voice in shaping their RTI support.
give teachers practical ideas to establish positive connections with all of their students.

Making RTI Work at the Middle and High School Level

Workshop Description

To be effective at the middle and high school level, Response to Intervention (RTI) must be tailored to accommodate, compartmentalized instruction, highly demanding curriculum expectations, complex schedules--and students who are approaching adulthood and have a significant voice in their own educational program.

This workshop presents an RTI problem-solving model specifically designed for the realities of secondary school settings. Participants review a core collection of academic and behavioral intervention ideas and progress-monitoring methods that can realistically be used in middle and high school settings. The RTI Secondary School model also includes a streamlined and flexible intervention team problem-solving process, as well as strategies to motivate struggling learners in secondary grades to become invested in their intervention plans. All workshop ideas are tied to a three-tier 'Response to Intervention' framework now being widely adopted in schools across the nation.

Workshop Outcomes

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will:

know the 3-Tier Response to Intervention (RTI) model and its implementation in a secondary school setting.
understand the steps required to establish and run a middle or high school building-based RTI ‘Intervention Team’.
know methods for monitoring the progress of secondary-level academic and behavioral interventions.
be familiar with a core set of research-based ‘Tier I’ academic and behavioral interventions appropriate for use in secondary classrooms.

Implementing 'Response to Intervention': A Guide for Schools

Workshop Description

The 'Response to Intervention' (RTI) model has been widely adopted by schools across the nation as a proactive way to respond to students with academic or behavioral concerns. In the RTI model, a student in general education tnat begins to experience difficulties is given one or more evidence-based interventions. If the student fails to make expected progress despite several intervention attempts, that student can be considered to be a ‘non-responder’ to intervention. This workshop provides participants with an overview of RTI and an explanation of how this framework can better support students with academic or behavioral challenges.

The workshop also includes short tutorials on four essential components of RTI, including Tier 1 (classroom) interventions; the creation of effective RTI Problem-Solving Teams; use of Curriculum-Based Measurement and other screening and monitoring tools; and ideas for putting together scientifically based academic and behavioral intervention plans. Participants review free RTI resources available on the Internet and learn about the key initial steps that a school or district should follow to implement RTI successfully.

Workshop Outcomes

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

articulate how the RTI model provides proactive support to struggling general-education students.
be knowledgeable about key components of RTI – to include 1. staff understanding and support for RTI, 2. RTI Problem-Solving Teams, 3. Intervention Planning, and 4. Benchmarking/Progress-Monitoring Methods
outline the initial steps necessary to implement RTI successfully in a school.
access free Internet resources to support RTI.

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