• Data-driven decision-making – The primary source of data for all students is the universal screening tool, which is administered three times throughout the school year. The universal screener will confirm those students who are meeting grade-level benchmarks as well as identify students who require intervention services. Additional data is gathered from the variety of assessment tools used by teachers in the classroom.
   
• Teacher collaboration – Bi-monthly teacher meetings focus strictly on student achievement. Data is shared and analyzed. Students are intentionally grouped for supplemental or ongoing instruction based on this data.
   
• Tiered instruction – Tier I consists of high-quality, evidence-based classroom instruction which will appropriately meet the needs of about 80 % of the students. Tier II provides additional support to those 15% who need supplemental instruction. Tier III meets those 5% of students with intensive needs, typically those qualifying for an IEP.
   
• Progress monitoring – This can take many forms such as teacher observation, pencil & paper tasks, oral question and answer, studentdemonstration, etc. . . with the goal being to measure a student’s response to the prescribed intervention. One key element of progress monitoring is documentation; so informed decisions can be made when analyzing student progress to determine the most appropriate “next steps” for instruction. 

RTI is an intentional approach to better know our students as learners and to teach them in such a way that each student has the best opportunity to reach our grade level benchmarks.