At each level of the three-tier model, teachers and parents communicate about a child’s academic progress. Parents should be informed by the classroom teacher whenever an intervention outside of the classroom is determined to be needed to assist in improving academic performance of their child. Parents should always be notified by the classroom teacher about academic strategic plans developed by the Intervention Team. Parents are required to be invited to Intervention Team meetings when a special education evaluation or Section 504 evaluation are considered. During the meetings when special education and Section 504 evaluations are considered, the Prior Written Notice is completed and parents are given their procedural safeguards.
The RTI process is the method for addressing academic concerns for students and allows the school to begin interventions quickly. A student’s response to the interventions will determine if we suspect an educational disability and if any additional testing will be required. Assure parent that their input is important and that they will be informed as we implement interventions to help their child. RTI is necessary to make informed decisions about the need for special education services. However, if the parent still requests an evaluation for special education, this process should be initiated in most cases. This should not interfere with developing an intervention plan while the special education evaluation is in process.
