Exploring Special Education's Role in RTI

Apr 27, 2024

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Lecture Notes on the Relationship Between RTI and Special Education

Summary

The relationship between Response to Intervention (RTI) and special education is complex and currently lacks a consensus among educational professionals. Opinions vary on the role that special education should play in the RTI model, ranging from involvement across all tiers to concentration only at the most intensive level.

Key Points on RTI and Special Education Relationship

Different Perspectives on Special Education's Role in RTI

  1. Minimal Role:

    • Some believe special education should have little involvement in the RTI process.

  2. Predominant Role:

    • Others argue that special education should play a major role throughout the RTI tiers.

  3. Integration Across Tiers:

    • A view that special educators should be involved at every tier (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3), contributing across all levels of intervention.

  4. Focus on Most Intensive Tier:

    • Another perspective suggests that special educators should primarily operate at the most intensive tier, dealing with the most challenging cases.

Uncertainties and Concerns

  • Nature of Most Intensive Instruction:
    • There is clear understanding about the strategies for Tier 1 and Tier 2, which are mostly handled by general education.
    • However, there is uncertainty about what constitutes the most intensive instructions needed for students who do not respond to the first two tiers.
  • Responsibility for Intensive Interventions:
    • Questions remain about who should deliver these intensive treatments and interventions, especially considering the needs of students who are chronically unresponsive to standard interventions.

Personal Opinion of the Lecturer

  • The lecturer expresses a personal preference for special educators to be primarily involved in providing the most intensive instruction, especially targeted towards the most instructionally needy children within schools. However, he acknowledges that this is not a consensus view and is subject to debate within the educational community.

Conclusion

There is no clear consensus on the role of special education within the RTI framework. Stakeholders continue to debate the most effective approach to integrating special educators into the RTI tiers, reflecting broader uncertainties about the best strategies for supporting students with significant educational challenges.