April 19, 2010 ACTION UPDATE

Response to Intervention in Reading for ELLs This article by Sharon Vaughn and Alba Ortiz of the University of Texas discusses the knowledge base on RTI and reading for English Language Learners (ELLs) and encourages utilizing the RTI framework to help these students with their reading difficulties. Although implementing RTI with ELLs involves the challenge of determining students' knowledge and skills in their first language and then understanding their performance in a second language, Drs. Vaughn and Ortiz believe that educators can promote effective RTI practices with ELLs if given the proper support and resources.     Upcoming RTI Talk: Effective Instruction for English Language Learners April 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. ET Many English language learners experience academic difficulties and may benefit from prevention and intervention approaches consistent with Response to Intervention. Join Drs. Jana Echevarria and Catherine (Cara) Richards-Tutor, of California State University, Long Beach, during our next RTI Talk as they answer your questions about effective instruction for English language learners. Submit advance questions for the RTI Talk now or simply join the chat live on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. ET. This RTI Talk is presented by the RTI Action Network in collaboration with the National Center on Response to Intervention. Upcoming Webinar: RTI for English Language Learners April 29, 2010, 2 to 3 p.m. ET During this webinar Dr. Julie Esparza Brown, Dr. Amanda Sanford, & Erin Lolich will discuss improving educational outcomes for ELLs through culturally and linguistically responsive implementation of an RTI framework in the area of elementary reading. This webinar is presented by the National Center on RTI, in collaboration with the RTI Action Network. Visit the NCRTI Web site to get more information about joining the webinar.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH National drop-out rates are outrageous throughout the nation. What programs actually work and can be replicated and implemented for under-served students, especially in impoverished urban and rural areas? Dr. Pedro A. Noguera, professor of Education at New York University, emphasizes that while there are no programs per se that work at reducing the drop-out rate, there are several strategies that are showing results.   Read more to learn an important question that must be asked before considering the high drop-out rate problem.  Read his full response to this question of the month. »       RTI ACTION UPDATE Are you reading a forwarded copy of this newsletter? Subscribe today for free!

Web Conference on Teacher Preparation The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and the RTI Action Network will present a three-day Web conference entitled Preparing Teachers for Practice within an RTI Framework on May 5-7, 2010. The online event will address administrators, deans and faculty who are interested in or have questions about embedding RTI in their teacher preparation programs. Participants will be able to discuss RTI with key national leaders as well as representatives from schools that have benefitted from RTI implementation. To register for the conference, visit the AACTE Web site.

		NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS RTI Blog In the third installment of their blog, Deb Carter, Juli Pool, and Evelyn Johnson share their latest successes and challenges in implementing a two-year combined RTI/PBS project at Silver Sage Elementary School in Idaho. This entry specifically addresses their experience with Tier 1 behavior implementation in an effort to put into practice a more comprehensive SWPBS model at the school. Read the blog and comment today!   IRA RTI Webinars The International Reading Association's (IRA) Commission on RTI has developed a series of webinars to address important aspects of the Response to Intervention topic. Visit the IRA Web site to view a complete list of the series with the materials posted for past sessions, including April 15th's webinar, "RTI—Linguistic Diversity."   NEA Policy Brief The National Education Association (NEA) has released a new policy brief entitled Response to Intervention: A Transformational Approach. The brief outlines essential elements, calls for support at all levels (i.e., federal, state, local) and highlights recommendations to advance effective RTI implementation, including educator preparation needs, funding and state level collaboration.

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