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RTI2

Arlington Community Schools is committed to helping prepare all children for success, both while in school and after high school. We have many ways to help children who are struggling to learn and who need additional supports to be successful. Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2) is one form of support.

What is RTI2?

RTI2 is a multi-tiered system of instruction and intervention that addresses students’ specific skill deficits in math and reading and provides small-group instruction designed to improve those areas of need through evidence-based practices, instructionally relevant assessments, and data-based decision making.

What RTI2 is:

  • A set of processes for coordinating high quality service delivery in schools
  • Making instructional decision based on data
  • Providing relevant data for identifying specific learning disabilities

What RTI2 is NOT:

  • Optional; it is part of the general education program
  • Just a special education initiative
  • A way of eliminating special education
  • Only for beginning reading
  • A way to fix weak core classroom instruction
  • A place for students to get tutoring on standards
  • A place to complete homework or schoolwork from other classes


What are the key components of the RTI2 framework?

  • Quality Instruction – All students receive high quality curriculum and instruction in the general education classroom (Tier I).
  • Universal Screenings – These brief assessments measure student performance and identify students who may need more academic support to improve specific skills in math and/or reading and may benefit from RTI2.
  • Progress Monitoring – RTI2 teachers carefully monitor students’ progress to determine if a particular intervention is working or if another approach or intervention may be tried. When progress monitoring indicates that intervention is no longer needed, the child will continue to receive support from the general education curriculum (Tier I).

What does the RTI2 framework look like?
The RTI2 framework includes three tiers. Each tier provides different levels of support.


Tier I

Students receive research-based, high quality general education that incorporates ongoing universal screening and ongoing assessment to guide instruction.

Tier II

Intervention is implemented when assessment indicates that a student is not making adequate gains from Tier I instruction alone. In addition to Tier I instruction, students are provided interventions designed to meet their specific needs. Student progress is monitored weekly or every other week to measure changes in each student’s individual skills.

Tier III

Students receive more intensive intervention in reading and/or mathematics in addition to Tier I instruction. Students are provided interventions designed to meet their specific needs and student progress is monitored weekly or every other week to measure changes in each student’s individual skills.


Can I opt my child out of RTI2?

No. The Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2) framework is the mandated methodology for delivery of instruction in the general education curriculum in all local education agencies in the State of Tennessee, effective July 1, 2014. Since it is an instructional methodology mandated by policy of the State Board of Education via the criteria for determination of learning disabilities, it is therefore applicable to all students enrolled in a local education agency, and a parent has no legal standing to refuse the provision of instruction via a RTI2 method to an individual student, just as a parent cannot refuse to allow an individual student to be instructed in mathematics, language arts, science, or any other component of the general education curriculum mandated by the State Board of Education.
If an individual parent disagrees with a local education agency’s adherence to the state mandated method of instructional delivery, he/she may exercise the multiplicity of school choice options available to parents in our state, including private or home school instruction.

How can I support my child at home?

  • Make reading an everyday habit at home
  • Communicate with your child’s teachers regularly
  • Check your child’s homework assignments
  • Review your child’s RTI2 progress monitoring data
  • Share in your child’s successes
  • Attend parent/teacher conferences
  • Learn more about the curricula and interventions used in school
  • Refer to the RTI2 at Home Supports documents below in the Resources folder for additional ideas in specific areas

Where can I learn more about RTI2?

For more information about RTI2, visit the Tennessee Department of Education website or contact the Interventionist at your school.

You may also view a PBS Learning Video series by clicking here.


RTI2