Efficacy evaluation of a full-scale response to intervention program for enhancing student reading abilities in a Swedish school context

Reading abilities in Swedish students have declined in recent decades. The current study examined the effectiveness of a full-scale three-tier Response to Intervention (RtI) model designed to improve reading skills in Swedish students. Participants were grade 2 students in a primary school setting. A quasi-experimental between-group design was used to examine treatment effects. The RtI experimental group (n = 11) and comparison group (n = 11) were monitored longitudinally over 2.5 years. The interventions included specialized instruction on decoding and reading comprehension. The comparison group received treatment as usual. After the intervention, the number of students in need of support in the experimental RtI-group was reduced from six to one. Furthermore, decoding and reading comprehension improved in the experimental group relative to the comparison group; however, the results were not significant. The standard deviation in the experimental group was smaller than that in the comparison group for all follow-up measures. The intervention effect was sustained after one and a half year in most of the students who had responded to the intervention. In addition, the participating teachers mostly appreciated the RtI-model. These preliminary findings suggest that the RtI model possibly can enhance reading skills in Swedish students; however, more research is needed. Implications for using the RtI model are discussed.

Alignment of School and Leadership Practices in Basic Education with Response-to-Intervention Model

This study assessed the implementation of school and leadership practices of the selected basic education schools and their alignment with the Response-to-Intervention (RTI) model components which enhanced the RTI implementation. The gaps in aligning the school and leadership practices with the RTI model were identified as concerns. As the RTI model is about preparing all students for success in their adult lives and careers, the school leaders hold a very significant position in improving the academic performance of all their learners. The study used the mixed method. The quantitative data analysis used a survey questionnaire and sent to the respondents through Google Forms. The descriptive statistics of frequency, mean and standard deviation was calculated using the IBM SPSS Statistics. For the qualitative data, an interview was conducted with the school principals, guidance counselors and selected class advisers, to clarify and support the responses in the survey questionnaire. Based on the findings, the researcher designed the contextualized RTI framework for basic education in Cebu City, Philippines. The recommendations of the study were: (1) include the RTI systems and procedures in the quality management system of the school; (2) for human resource departments and hiring committees, they should consider the qualification each potential new principal his or her previous experience working with students with special needs; (3) schools should consider providing professional development and training opportunities to principals whose sole or primary classroom teaching experience has been in general education; and, (4) for an individualized professional development planning process, principals might want to incorporate professional development opportunities that focus on leadership support for interventions.

Efficacy of the RtI Model in the Treatment of Reading Learning Disabilities

(1) Background: The response to intervention (RtI) model makes possible the early detection of reading problems and early intervention for students at risk. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effective measures that identify struggling readers and the most effective practices of the RtI model in reading in Primary Education. (2) Method: A systematic review of the literature published between 2010 and 2020 was performed, analyzing in the 31 selected articles, the identification and monitoring methods and the interventions at the different tiers of the RtI model. (3) Results: There are different methods to identify struggling readers, and there is no consensus on the matter. There are also many differences in the implementation of the different tiers of the RtI model; however, its effectiveness is demonstrated. (4) Conclusions: The implementation of the RtI model in a flexible way adapted to the circumstances of each moment, and can be considered as a highly effective resource in the prevention and early detection of reading learning problems.

A Tiered Approach for Training Paraeducators to Use Evidence-Based Practices for Students With Significant Disabilities

Paraeducators play an important role in the education of students with significant disabilities. They can best contribute to improving student outcomes when they are skilled in using evidence-based practices. Tiered training is a practical and promising solution for how teachers can train teams of paraeducators to use evidence-based practices. Like a Response to Intervention (RTI) model for students, tiered staff training involves providing initial training for groups of paraeducators, monitoring their performance, and then providing follow-up coaching to only the paraeducators who need extra support. In this article, each step of tiered training is described with examples. This step-by-step guide is informed by a series of research studies in which tiered training was tested with more than 60 paraeducators who serve students with significant disabilities in public schools.

Piloting the Response to Intervention Model in the Canary Islands: Prevention of Reading and Math Learning Disabilities

The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an intervention implemented by elementary school teachers within the context of the Response to Intervention (RtI) model. For this purpose, a Tier 2 or secondary intervention was implemented by Spanish-speaking teachers in grades K-3 after receiving training to implement RtI components with fidelity. A total of 1,923 at-risk students were assigned to treatment (in reading, n = 542; in math, n = 483) or control (in reading, n = 406; in math, n = 492). Teachers were provided with a support system that included two web-based training programs for reading (i.e., Letra program) and math (i.e., Primate program). Implementation fidelity was analyzed using direct observations and self-reports. All students were assessed three times during the academic year. A hierarchical linear growth modeling was conducted, and differences in the growth rate of reading and math performance were analyzed between at-risk students who have received the intervention and those who have not received it. Children at-risk in the intervention condition appeared to benefit more than at-risk children in the control condition. Moreover, findings indicate that the earlier the intervention, the greater the percentage of students who leave the situation of risk of learning difficulties in reading and math.

Tier 2 interventions within the RtI-model for developing students’ word decoding – a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: This PRISMA pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine if K–2 students at-risk for reading impairment benefited from tier 2 reading intervention compared to teaching as usual (TAU) on word decoding outcomes.Eligibility criteria: Adequately sized randomized controlled trials of tier 2 reading interventions within the Response to Intervention (RtI) model were included. Trials targeted K–2 at-risk students compared with TAU controls, for at least 20 sessions of intervention in school with more than 30 students per group. Information sources: A database search of ERIC, PsycINFO, LLBA, Web of Science and Google Scholar took place, followed by hand searches of reviews and meta-analyses. Risk of bias: Studies were assessed with Cochrane’s risk of bias tool (Rob 2), R-index and funnel plots. Included studies: Seven studies met the eligibility criteria but only four had sufficient data to extract for the meta-analysis.Synthesis of results: The weighted mean effect size across the four included studies was Hedges’ g = 0.31 95% CI [0.12, 0.50] which means that the intervention group improved their decoding more than students receiving TAU. Leave-one-out analysis showed that the weighted effect was not dependent on a single study. Description of the effect: Students at-risk of reading difficulties benefit from tier 2 reading interventions as evidenced by a small effect on decoding ability. Strengths and limitations of evidence: This systematic review used the PRISMA gold standard but only four studies met inclusion criteria.Interpretation: Tier 2 reading interventions, conducted in small groups within RtI, can support decoding development.