The sequel to Pyramid Response to Intervention advocates that a successful RTI model begins by asking the right questions to create a fundamentally effective learning environment for every student. RTI is not a series of implementation steps, but rather a way of thinking. Understand why bureaucratic, paperwork-heavy, compliance-oriented, test-score-driven approaches fail. Then learn how to create a focused RTI model that works.

Accessible language and compelling stories illustrate how RTI is most effective when built on the Professional Learning Communities at WorkTM process. Written by award-winning educators from successful PLC schools, this book demonstrates how to create three tiers of interventions—from basic to intensive—to address student learning gaps. You will understand what a successful program looks like, and the many reproducible forms and activities will help your team understand how to make RTI work in your school.

In this sequel to the bestselling Pyramid Response to Intervention, authors Buffum, Mattos, and Weber advocate that an effective RTI model begins by asking the right questions. RTI is not a series of implementation steps to cross off a list, the authors suggest, but rather a way of thinking about how educators can ensure that each child receives the time and support needed to succeed in school and in life. When educators base their thinking about RTI on four essential guiding principles, they will find the most effective answers to implementation questions. The four essential principles of pyramid response to intervention explored in the book are:1.Collective responsibility¿A shared belief that the primary responsibility of each member of the organization is to ensure high levels of learning for every child2.Concentrated instruction¿A collaborative process that focuses teacher teams on the skills and knowledge most important to the student and his or her future3.Convergent assessment¿An ongoing process of collecting targeted information to add depth and breadth to the understanding of each student¿s individual needs, obstacles, and points of learning leverage4.Certain access¿A systematic process that guarantees every student will receive the time and support needed to learn at high levelsDrawing from their experiences working with hundreds of schools across North America, the authors explain why bureaucratic, paperwork-heavy, compliance-oriented, test-score-driven approaches fail¿and then show how to create an RTI model that works. They address both academics and behavior in each chapter, and provide considerations for district leadership as well.The authors begin by presenting an inverted version of the RTI pyramid that narrows the focus to each individual child. In their re-envisioned pyramid, the work of RTI is divided between collaborative teacher teams and two schoolwide teams: a leadership team and an intervention team. Together, the whole school assumes collective responsibility for the learning of every student. They build structures of collaboration by creating learning-focused teams, embedding time for collaboration into the school day, and developing forms and processes that support, rather than overwhelm, those who do the work of RTI.To create an effective program of concentrated instruction, collaborative teacher teams define essential learnings that every student must master, establish what proficiency would look like, design common formative assessments, and administer instruction and intervention in Tiers 1 and 2 on universal academic skills such as reading, writing, and number sense. The schoolwide intervention team, composed of members with a variety of expertise and experience, takes responsibility for supporting students who struggle due to issues of motivation, attendance, behavior, and English language proficiency. The schoolwide team also provides support to students with intensive needs at Tier 3.In convergent assessment, teacher teams assess in a sequence of identifying students who need help, determining specific student needs and the appropriate interventions, monitoring the results of interventions, and extending or revising the intervention based on the results of progress monitoring. The authors debunk common myths about universal screening and thoroughly explain the role of common formative assessments in the RTI process. Collaborative teams also build a toolbox of interventions. The authors define the characteristics of effective interventions, explain the difference between Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions, and offer a compelling rationale for determining who should deliver an intervention: asking, who on our staff is best qualified to meet this child¿s needs? Ultimately, the point of RTI is to ensure that every child has certain access to the support he or she needs to be successful. The authors describe how to ensure that processes have been established to ensure certain access to interventions and, when necessary, to special education identification.

Response to intervention (RTI) is the most effective process for ensuring student success, using differentiated instruction to provide the time and support necessary. This comprehensive implementation guide covers every element required to build a successful RTI at WorkTM program in schools. The authors share step-by-step actions for implementing the essential elements, instructional strategies, and tools needed to support implementation, as well as tips for engaging and supporting educators. Readers who valued the practical knowledge in Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at WorkTM (DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, Many, and Mattos) will appreciate a similar style and practicality in Taking Action. This guide will help you incorporate the response to intervention process by allowing you to: Understand how RTI at WorkTM builds on the PLC at WorkTM process. Review the revised RTI at WorkTM pyramid and its three RTI tiers. Learn what roles teacher teams, leadership teams, and schoolwide teams play in a multi-tiered intervention structure. Understand the differences among intervention, extension, prevention, and enrichment. Avoid common missteps when implementing RTI (or MTSS). Consider why an achievement gap remains in 21st century education and how the RTI process can close that gap.

Students thrive when educators commit to proactively meeting their behavioral as well as academic needs. This book will help teachers and school leaders transform the research on behavior, response to intervention, and professional learning communities into practical strategies they can use to create a school culture and classroom climates in which learning is primed to occur.

This bestselling work provides practitioners with a complete guide to implementing response to intervention (RTI) in schools. The authors are leading experts who explain the main components of RTI--high-quality instruction, frequent assessment, and data-based decision making--and show how to use it to foster positive academic and behavioral outcomes for all students. Implementation procedures are described in step-by-step detail. In a large-size format to facilitate photocopying, the book includes reproducible planning and implementation worksheets. The companion website features an accompanying PowerPoint presentation for use in RTI training. New to this Edition *Includes extensive new research that reflects the increasing adoption of RTI nationwide. *Expanded to include behavioral interventions. *Chapter on effective instructional practices for general education. *Chapter on implementation at the whole-school and district levels. *Chapter featuring multiple intervention case studies. See also Assessment for Intervention, Second Edition, which details a wide range of assessment procedures ideal for implementation in an RTI framework. This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by Sandra M. Chafouleas.

Classroom management is critical to successful teaching, but many K-12 teachers struggle with it. This indispensable guide distills the best classroom management science into easy-to-implement strategies teachers can use to promote a productive and safe learning environment. Chapters provide evidence-based guidelines for implementing classwide prevention strategies, token economies, group contingencies, and self-management interventions. Procedures for evaluating intervention effectiveness and individualizing interventions are described. Reproducible tools include 9 forms and 21 quick-reference "coach cards" that distill the key steps of each strategy. The large-size format facilitates photocopying; purchasers also get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials. This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by Sandra M. Chafouleas.