Response to Instruction and Intervention, in Georgia, is a three-tiered instructional process, or framework, which guides teachers in matching instruction and intervention to each student's learning needs. This may include intervention for skill weaknesses, or strength-based instruction through enrichment and acceleration.

What are the Key Components of Response to Instruction and Intervention?

• High quality, research-based instruction and behavioral support for all students in general education.
• Universal (district-wide) screening of academics and behavior to determine which students need intervention and/or enrichment and acceleration.
• Multiple tiers, or layers, of increasingly intense scientific, research-based interventions and/or enrichment that are matched to student need.
• School staff works together to develop, implement, and monitor the intervention and enrichment process.
• Continuous monitoring, with objective data, of student progress during intervention in order to determine if students are meeting their achievement goals.
• Systems in place to ensure fidelity of instruction and intervention.
• Parent involvement in the instructional process.

What are the Three Tiers of Instruction in a Response to Instruction and Intervention framework?

Tier 1 - All students receive standards-based instruction matched to their readiness level in the general education classroom. Behavioral expectations are also specifically taught and reinforced in this tier. Schools will assess all students to determine what students are at-risk for not meeting grade level standards, as well as which students will likely benefit from enrichment and/or acceleration

Tier 2 - Some students will be identified with skill gaps in reading, math, or behavior. In Tier 2, identified students will receive targeted intervention in their specific area of weakness. Students who are above grade level receive strength-based instruction in Tier 2. This could be through an advanced or Honors class.

Tier 3 - Students who are identified as having significant skill weaknesses and students who do not respond to targeted intervention in Tier 2, will participate in intensive intervention in Tier 3. Students who are well above grade level receive strength-based instruction in Tier 3. This could be through accelerated or Advanced Placement classes.

What is the Student Support Team?

The Student Support Team (SST) is an interdisciplinary group that uses a systematic problem solving process to address learning and/or behavior problems of students, K-12, in a school. Per Georgia Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.32, every Georgia School must have an SST.

The Student Support Team (SST) is in Tier 3 of a Response to Instruction and Intervention instructional framework. Each school's designated SST participates in problem-solving and monitoring of students who are identified as having significant skill weakness and/or who do not respond to Tier 2 instruction and intervention.

How Can Parents Help?

(Georgia Department of Education, 2009)

Parents are a critical partner in the continual success of the teaching and learning in school. Active participation is the key. Read the standards for your child's grade or course. Ask for ways you can help at home to improve your child's school performance. Participate in parent conference and meetings related to overall progress in the standards as well as progress related to intervention participation.