Pyramid Response to Intervention: How to Respond When Kids Don't Learn

Students who don't get the education they need run higher risks not only of
dropping out of school, but of incarceration, homelessness, and early death. Pyramid response
to intervention (PRTI) seeks to remedy that situation—and has met with remarkable success—by
systematically identifying students' needs, providing targeted interventions, monitoring students'
progress, modifying interventions as necessary, and thereby enabling all of a school's or district's
students to learn at high levels. In this course, expert presenters Austin Buffum, Mike Mattos, and
Chris Weber share their experience implementing PRTI. They take participants through the critical
stages of establishing professional learning communities (PLCs) within schools and districts, using
universal screening tools to ascertain students' learning needs, and devising interventions for
students at three tiers. In Tier 1, the classroom teacher differentiates instruction to meet all of his
or her students' needs; in Tier 2, teachers begin targeting their interventions to meet the needs of
those students not met in Tier 1 (e.g., through small group work and systematic push-in and pullout
strategies); and in Tier 3, teachers call on the expertise of others and practice one-on-one
interventions for the remaining few. The presenters emphasize the role of collaborative teamwork
and instruct participants on how to make their meetings purposeful and effective. Interviews and
classroom footage illustrate how constructive PLCs and PRTI has been for all parties invested in the
mission of helping all students achieve at the highest levels possible.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Professional Development
• education technology
• leadership
• education
• School Teacher Leadership