What does Response to Intervention (RTI) primarily serve to do?

Response to Intervention (RTI) primarily serves as a strategy for diagnosing learning disabilities through targeted interventions. This approach involves systematically monitoring students' progress and providing increasingly intensive levels of support based on their individual needs and responses to these interventions.

The RTI framework emphasizes early identification of learning challenges, with the goal of providing timely support before students fall significantly behind. By implementing a multi-tiered system of support, educators can tailor interventions specifically to address the difficulties that students may be experiencing. Monitoring progress allows for data-driven decision-making, ensuring that interventions are effective and helping educators to identify students who may require further assessment for potential learning disabilities.

RTI is not intended for managing behavior, assigning students to academic tracks, or directly assessing teacher performance; instead, its primary focus is on academic support and intervention for students who are struggling in a general education setting. This targeted approach is crucial in promoting successful learning outcomes for all students, particularly those at risk of failure.