What does RTI stand for in education?

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a widely adopted educational framework designed to identify students who may be struggling with their academic performance and to provide targeted support to meet their needs. RTI involves a multi-tiered approach to instruction and intervention, starting with high-quality classroom instruction followed by increasingly intensive interventions based on student response.

The term emphasizes the "response" aspect, which is a core component of the model; educators assess the effectiveness of interventions and adjust strategies based on how well students are responding. This systematic approach helps ensure that all students have access to the support they need to succeed and helps prevent long-term academic difficulties.

Understanding RTI is crucial for educators because it not only focuses on intervention strategies but also emphasizes early identification of learning difficulties. This proactive approach allows teachers to intervene before students fall too far behind, ultimately promoting better educational outcomes.