Once again I feel the need to bring up RTI because it is so important for parents to understand this process. Some questions have been brought to my attention that have me really concerned and I would like for all of you to understand your rights under RTI.
Let me state again, I do think RTI is a good starting point for our young students in grades K, 1 and beginning of 2 if necessary. The proper universal screener is finding the students who are struggling and who may have a learning disability and these students are being put into a tier. One would hope the tier has the proper intervention that will address students needs but since the districts are having to pay for these interventions that is not always the case.
Back in January the Knox County School Board was given a presentation on RTI and I wanted you all to hear some key points that were made at the end. This video is only 4 minutes long but please pay attention when it is said that the RTI manual is a guideline. ONLY a guideline. RTI teams make decisions based on each individual child.
(To see the whole discussion, go here and click on the video dated 1/20/15. It begins about an hour in.)
Let me state again, I do think RTI is a good starting point for our young students in grades K, 1 and beginning of 2 if necessary. The proper universal screener is finding the students who are struggling and who may have a learning disability and these students are being put into a tier. One would hope the tier has the proper intervention that will address students needs but since the districts are having to pay for these interventions that is not always the case.
Back in January the Knox County School Board was given a presentation on RTI and I wanted you all to hear some key points that were made at the end. This video is only 4 minutes long but please pay attention when it is said that the RTI manual is a guideline. ONLY a guideline. RTI teams make decisions based on each individual child.
(To see the whole discussion, go here and click on the video dated 1/20/15. It begins about an hour in.)
I am getting concerned because schools are keeping students in a tier for a full year with very little intervention change and parents don't know they can request an evaluation to determine if their child qualifies for services. It is important to state that a school is NOT allowed to wait for a parent to request an SLD (specific learning disabilities) evaluation request. This could be a possible violation of child find and you can read about child find in the IDEA regulations subpart B §300.111.
Reading through the federal regulations I came across a comment that was made which I find important...
The child find requirements in §300.111 and section 612(a)(3)(A) of the Act require that all children with disabilities in the State who are in need of special education and related services be identified, located, and evaluated. Therefore, it would generally not be acceptable for an LEA to wait several months to conduct an evaluation or to seek parental consent for an initial evaluation if the public agency suspects the child to be a child with a disability.
If you suspect that your child is struggling and RTI isn't helping, you at any time may request an evaluation for an SLD. Please remember, schools do not diagnose they determine if services are needed and when it comes to dyslexia you will need to do your homework or find an advocate who can help you.
Reading through the federal regulations I came across a comment that was made which I find important...
The child find requirements in §300.111 and section 612(a)(3)(A) of the Act require that all children with disabilities in the State who are in need of special education and related services be identified, located, and evaluated. Therefore, it would generally not be acceptable for an LEA to wait several months to conduct an evaluation or to seek parental consent for an initial evaluation if the public agency suspects the child to be a child with a disability.
If you suspect that your child is struggling and RTI isn't helping, you at any time may request an evaluation for an SLD. Please remember, schools do not diagnose they determine if services are needed and when it comes to dyslexia you will need to do your homework or find an advocate who can help you.
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