Response to Intervention Key Terms

Transcription

1 Response to Intervention Key Terms Accommodation Change in instructional strategies that enable all children to demonstrate their abilities in the classroom or assessment/testing setting; designed to provide equity, not advantage, for children Action Research Systematic inquiry that is conducted by education stakeholders to discover answers to a common question; the process is collaborative, self-reflective, critical, and usually conducted at the classroom level Aim Line Also referred to as the goal line, the aim line depicts the anticipated growth and offers a comparison to the trend line; the aim line is typically shown as the expected rate of progress toward either the district goal or a goal developed by the team Assessment Measurement of student growth; assessment tool choice is dependent on the purpose and use of measurement results; See also Authentic Assessment Common Assessment Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) Curriculum-Based Assessment (CBA) Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) Norm-Referenced Test (NRT) Diagnostic Assessment Formative Assessment Functional Assessment Standardized Assessment Summative Assessment Authentic Assessment Tasks that require students to apply knowledge and skills; often such tasks are connected to real-world situations/challenges; the tool usually used to assess progress is a rubric with well-articulated descriptions of quality performance/product Baseline The initial performance level of a student; the median of three data points is used to determine a student s true baseline; serves as the reference point for goal setting and future data collection Benchmarks Expected rates of growth or learning; usually measured three times per year (fall, winter, spring) Collaboration A collegial process wherein two or more colleagues share expertise with each other; to implement instructional or behavior strategies to benefit student learning Components of Reading Dimensions The five research-based components of reading as outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001 (NCLB): Phonemic awareness Phonics Fluency Vocabulary Comprehension 51

2 Consultation A collegial process wherein a colleague shares expertise with another to address an identified issue Core Curriculum Course of study deemed critical and usually made mandatory for all students of a school or school system, as mandated by federal education statute, core curricula must represent scientifically-based practice Core Principles of RTI Beliefs, dispositions necessary for RTI processes to be effective: All children can learn when taught with effective practices Early intervening for struggling learners is essential Use of a multi-tier model of service delivery Utilization of a problem-solving methodology Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) Measures what a student understands, knows, or can accomplish in relation to a specific performance objective; typically used to identify a student s specific strengths and weaknesses in relation to an age or grade level standard; does not compare students to other students Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Refers to students whose cultural background is different from the majority of those students in the same classroom/school/district; and/or whose native/first language is other than American English Culturally Responsive Practice Accounting for and adapting instruction/intervention to a specific culture or background; requires the examination of the curriculum and core practices employed to ensure the application of strategies and interventions that research has found to be most effective with various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups Curriculum Based Assessment (CBA) Measures a student's performance in alignment with the local curriculum; occurring frequently; used as a basis to make instructional decisions Data Points Points on a graph that represent student achievement or behavior relative to a specific assessment at a specific time Data-based Decision Making Process of making instructional decisions based on student learning data Dependent Variable Element which may be influenced or modified by some treatment or exposure Diagnostic Assessment Process of measuring discrete skills in a particular area; usually administered individually Differentiated Instruction A process of designing lesson plans that meet the needs of a range of learners; includes varied learning objectives (content); varied grouping practices and teaching methods (process); and varied assignments and materials (product); elements are chosen based on student skill levels, interests, and learning preferences; differentiated instruction focuses on instructional strategies, instructional groupings, and an array of materials Discrepancy Difference between two outcome measures (for example, IQ achievement or difference between pre and post on Criterion Reference Test) Disproportionality Over- or under-representation of racially, culturally, ethnically of linguistically diverse groups of students in special education, restrictive learning environments, or school disciplinary actions (e.g., suspensions and expulsions) in comparison to other students Dual Discrepancy A dual discrepancy occurs when a student s performance and growth rate are both substantially below performance and growth rate of typical peers 52

3 Early Intervening Services (EIS) Early intervening services are the preventative components of federal education statutes; implemented to benefit students who manifest risk for poor learning outcomes but have not been identified as needing special education or related services Essential components of an RTI process Core components of an effective RTI process include School-wide screening Progress monitoring Tiered services Fidelity of implementation Evidence-based Practice Educational practices/instructional strategies supported by relevant scientific research studies Exclusionary Factors The determination of eligibility for a specific learning disability must not be primarily the result of one of the following factors: [from federal regulation (a)(3)] (a) A visual, hearing, or motor disability; (b) Mental retardation; (c) Emotional disturbance; (d) Cultural factors; (e) Environmental or economic disadvantage; or (f) Limited English proficiency. Explicit Instruction Systematic instructional approach that includes a set of delivery and design procedures derived from effective schools research merged with behavior analysis; essential components of well designed explicit instruction include (a) visible delivery features of group instruction with a high level of teacher and student interactions, and (b) the less observable, instructional design principles and assumptions that make up the content and strategies to be taught. Fidelity of Implementation The degree to which instruction and/or interventions are implemented as designed; includes the instructional procedures, specified group size or other environmental parameters, and student participation in prescribed sessions (participation rate should not fall below 80%) Formative Assessment Classroom/curriculum measures of student progress; monitors progress made towards achieving learning outcomes; informs instructional decision-making Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) Behaviors: Process to identify the problem, determine the function or purpose of the behavior; in order to develop interventions to teach acceptable alternatives to the behavior; also referred to as FBA Academics: Process to identify the skill gap, strategies that have and have not been effective; in order to develop interventions to teach the necessary skill(s) Gap Analysis Review of data comparing present performance to expected performance Growth Chart Graphical display of individual student s growth and performance in a particular skill or set of skills Inclusion A framework to ensure all students are educated with peers in a school Independent Variable Variable which is manipulated or selected by the researcher to determine relationship to a dependent variable; independent variable is the element that someone actively controls/changes (instructional strategy/intervention); while the dependent variable (student demonstration of skills) is the element that changes as a result 53

4 Intensive Interventions Academic and/or behavioral interventions characterized by increased length, frequency, and duration of implementation for students who struggle significantly; often associated with narrowest tier of an RTI tiered model Intervention Research-based strategy to address student need (academic, social, behavioral) Key practices in RTI Practices necessary for RTI processes to be effective Using research-based, scientifically validated instruction and interventions Monitoring of student progress to inform instruction Making decisions based on data Using assessments for universal screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostics Learning Rate Average progress over a period of time, e.g. one-year s growth in one year s time Levels of Intervention Levels of instructional intensity within a multi-tiered prevention service delivery system Modification Alterations that change, lower, or reduce learning expectations; can increase gap between the achievement of students with disabilities and expectations for proficiency at a particular grade level Norm-Referenced Test (NRT) Norm-referenced assessment compares a student's performance to that of an appropriate peer group Over-identification Refers to the over-representation of students in special education programs/services that are above state and national averages; identification of more students for services through special education than the proportion of that population in the general population Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Evidence-based practices embedded in the school curriculum/culture/expectations that have a preventative focus; teaching, practice, and demonstration of pro-social behaviors Prevention Applying effective educational strategies; especially at the earliest point when a student is struggling with a skill or concept; not waiting for a student to fail repeatedly before implementing a strategy or intervention Probe Brief, skill-specific assessment to determine student progress typically heard/used in reference to progress monitoring Problem-solving Approach to RTI Assumes that no given intervention will be effective for all students; generally has four stages (problem identification, problem analysis, plan implementation, and plan evaluation); is sensitive to individual student differences; depends on the integrity of implementing interventions Progress Monitoring A scientifically based practice used to assess students academic performance and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Progress monitoring can be implemented with individual students or an entire class. The process used to monitor implementation of specific interventions. Remediation Instruction intended to remedy a situation; to teach a student something that he or she should have previously learned or be able to demonstrate; assumes appropriate strategies matched to student learning have been used previously Research Based Intervention Intervention supported by education research to be effective with identified needs of sets of students Response to Intervention (RTI) RtI is an integrated approach that includes general, remedial, gifted, and special education in providing highquality instruction that is matched to individual student needs. It is based on a three-tiered model that monitors student progress with different levels of intervention intensity. By providing scientifically-based 54

5 interventions to students, monitoring progress on interventions, and using this information to determine who is in need of more intensive services. Response to Intervention Plan Captures and responds to the academic and behavioral need of students with researched based interventions. Scaffolding Instructional technique in which the teacher breaks a complex task into smaller tasks, models the desired learning strategy or task, provides support as students learn the task, and then gradually shifts responsibility to the students Scientifically-based Research Education Related research that meets the following criteria Analyzes and presents the impact of effective teaching on achievement of students Includes large numbers of students in the study Includes study and control groups Applies a rigorous peer review process Includes replication studies to validate results Scientific, Research-based Instruction/Interventions Curriculum and educational interventions that have been proven to be effective for most students based on scientific study Specific Learning Disability Areas of classroom achievement: Oral expression Listening comprehension Written expression Basic reading skills Reading fluency skills Reading comprehension Mathematical calculations Mathematics problem solving Standardized Assessment Tests administered to large groups of students, using the same administrative procedures, for the purpose of measuring academic achievement and/or comparing growth of learning in relation to students at the same grade or age range Strategic Interventions Specific to Needs Intervention chosen in relation to student data and from among those that have been documented through education research to be effective with like students under like circumstances; often associated with each tier of an RTI model Student Review Team (SRT) Group of education professionals coming together to consider student-specific data, brainstorm possible strategies/interventions; and develop a plan of action to address a student-specific need typically initiated at the Tier III level Students at Risk for Poor Learning Outcomes Students whose initial performance level or characteristics predict poor learning outcomes unless intervention occurs to accelerate knowledge, skill, or ability development Summative Assessment Comprehensive in nature, provides accountability and is used to check the level of learning at the point of expected mastery; measures growth in relation to a specific set of criteria or standard/expectation Systematic Data Collection Planning a timeframe for and following through with appropriate assessments to set baselines and monitor student progress 55

6 Team-Teaching A collegial process wherein two educators share responsibility for instruction, assessment, and student progress within a particular classroom of students Tier I Instructional Practices Interventions that are preventive and proactive; implementation is school-wide or whole-classroom; universal core program that all students receive in an instructional/intervention framework/process/model Tier II Instructional Practices Interventions that relate directly to an area of need; are supplementary to primary interventions; are different from primary interventions; often implemented in small group settings of no more than 6 students and delivered 2-3 times per week Tier III Instructional Practices Interventions that relate directly to an area of need; are supplementary Tier I and II interventions; are different from Tier I and II interventions; usually implemented in a group no larger than 3 and delivered 2-3 times per week Tiered Framework/Process/Model Common framework of three tiers that delineate levels of instructional interventions Trendline Indicates the actual rate of improvement and provides insight into future performance. This line is compared to the aim line to determine the student s response to the intervention and helps inform adjustments to instruction/intervention Universal Screening A brief academic or behavioral measure conducted with all students three times each school year; information is used to identify or predict students who may be at risk for poor learning or performance outcomes; data would not be used exclusively for decision making purposes, but taken in context with other available sources of information 56