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February 26, 2009 ACTION UPDATE


RTI Leadership That Works

Dr. Steven Kukic believes that Response to Intervention (RTI) comes from a unified vision of effective teaching and leadership that demands high expectations for all students. He asserts that nothing can stop an educator when Stephen Covey's four roles of leadership — modeling, pathfinding, aligning, empowering — are combined and synergized in a school setting. Read this informative article to discover how these four, mission-centered leadership roles apply to the RTI framework


Video: Advice for School Districts Beginning to Implement RTI

In this video, Dr. George Batsche provides useful advice to schools on the critical steps to successful implementation of RTI problem-solving. He highlights the importance of establishing a district leadership team, building consensus, implementing an infrastructure, and implementing the process for providing services to all students.


Upcoming RTI Talk: 
Annemarie Palincsar on Enhancing Reading Comprehension within Core Instruction
March 11, 2009 at 3 p.m. ETT

Join Annemarie Palincsar, Ph.D., Jean and Charles Walgreen professor of reading and literacy at the University of Michigan, during our next RTI Talk as she answers your questions about how children who struggle with academic learning can be supported to be successful in the context of ambitious science instruction. She will provide information from case studies of students in upper elementary classrooms, describing how general educators adapted the instruction and the instructional context to support these students. Dr. Palincsar will also describe how guided inquiry science experiences can provide an important opportunity to use reading, writing, and oral language.

Submit advance questions for the discussion now or simply join the chat live on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 3 p.m. ET.




QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Where can I go to find effective progress monitoring tools?


Dr. Evelyn Johnson, Assistant Professor of Special Education at Boise State University, cites the National Center on Student Progress Monitoring as a good starting point. Her other suggestions include a site that publishes a review of progress monitoring tools for K-12 and another that has several resources for secondary students.



teen girl-ask the experts


Sharing Tips about RTI Intervention Materials

Share your tips and ask questions about RTI tools and intervention materials on our newest Discussion Board forum.
 
A wide range of other forums are currently available to the RTI Action Network community, including RTI at Pre-K level, K-5 level and Secondary level, General RTI discussion, and Teacher Preparation and Professional Development.
Parents are the Key

"The past has taught us that there is no better advocate for a child than an informed parent," writes Bob Heimbaugh. In his latest blog, the principal stresses that educators must involve parents heavily at all levels of the RTI process — even if RTI is not used as a means for LD identification — in order to ensure successful implementation.



NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

RTI Talk Postponement
The RTI Talk "English Language Learners and RTI" has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 24 at 1 p.m. Dr. Nonie Lesaux of the Harvard Graduate School of Education will answer your questions about effective literacy and English language instruction for English learners in the elementary and middle school grades. Many ELLs experience reading difficulties and may benefit from prevention and intervention approaches consistent with Response to Intervention (RTI). Submit questions in advance or join the Talk live on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 1 p.m. EST.
 
NCEE Releases What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide
The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance within the Institute of Education Sciences has released "Assisting Students Struggling with Reading: Response to Intervention and Multi-Tier Intervention in the Primary Grades" (PDF). This new practice guide offers recommendations on how teachers and administrators can structure and utilize effective Response-to-Intervention strategies at both the classroom and school level. The guide also provides useful tips for implementing these recommendations.
 
NASSP Book Release
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has announced its latest book release Breaking Ranks-A Field Guide for Leading Change, the next in NASSP's Breaking Ranks series and written to give school leadership teams the tools and actions necessary to transform a school's culture. The book will be released at NASSP's Annual Convention, February 27 March 1, in San Diego, and will be referenced in a convention session sponsored by the RTI Action Network and presented by Jay Engeln, Barbara Ehren, and Tom Kelly on Saturday, February 28 at 2:30p.m. Contact NASSP at 703.860.0200 for more information.
 
TQ Connection Online Discussion (RTI: Improving Disproportionality)
Mark your calendar for the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality's next online discussion, which takes place March 2-6, 2009. During this discussion Dr. Dan Reschly will provide guidance and answer questions regarding the use of RTI to address disproportionality in special education. Interact online with Dr. Reschly and learn about how the RTI framework has shown promise when designed to address cultural and linguistic differences. Please contact Lynn Holdheide, lynn.holdheide@vanderbilt.edu, or Amy Potemski, amy.potemski@learningpt.org, with any comments or questions.
  
New Reading First Report Released
Educational Data Systems has just issued the Year 6 state evaluation report of California's Reading First program. The report indicates positive effects for all Reading First schools, particularly for English learners. In California, the Reading First program has had a significant impact on reading instruction and reading outcomes.  Read the California Reading First Year 6 Evaluation Report for more information.

 

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