RTI: We

1
RTI Were in Dragon Country Now!Jim
Wrightwww.interventioncentral.org
2
Hic sunt dracones. Latin for Here be
dragons Phrase appearing on the Lenox Globe
circa 1503, denoting unknown dangers on the
unexplored east coast of Asia. This term now is
used to describe any instance in which
decision-making or action is difficult because
the situation is so complex or because so many
variables are unknown. Source Wikipedia
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_be_dragonsDrag
ons_on_maps
3
Two Ways to Solve Problems Algorithm vs.
Heuristic

• Algorithm. An explicit step-by-step procedure for
  producing a solution to a given problem. Example
  Multiplying 6 x 2
• Heuristic. A rule of thumb or approach which may
  help in solving a problem, but is not guaranteed
  to find a solution. Heuristics are exploratory in
  nature. Example Using a map to find an
  appropriate route to a location.

4
As Knowledge Base Grows, Heuristic Approaches
(Exploratory, Open-Ended Guidelines to Solving a
Problem) Can Sometimes Turn into Algorithms
(Fixed Rules for Solving a Problem )Example
Recipes Through History
MODERN DARYOLS RECIPE (ALGORITHM)INGREDIENTS 2
(9 inch) unbaked pie crusts 1/2 cup blanched
almonds 1 1/4 cups cold water 1
cup half-and-half cream 1 pinch saffron powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 5 eggs
3/4 cup white
sugar 1 teaspoon rose water DIRECTIONS Preheat
the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Press
pie crusts into the bottom and up the sides of
two 9 inch pie pans. Prick with a fork all over
to keep them from bubbling up. Bake pie crusts
for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until
set but not browned. Set aside to cool. Make an
almond milk by placing almonds in the container
of a food processor. Process until finely ground,
then add water, and pulse just to blend. Let the
mixture sit for 10 minutes, then strain through a
cheesecloth. Measure out 1 cup of the almond
milk, and mix with half and half. Stir in the
saffron and cinnamon, and set aside. Place the
eggs and sugar in a saucepan, and mix until well
blended. Place the pan over low heat, and
gradually stir in the almond milk mixture and
cinnamon. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly
until the mixture begins to thicken. When the
mixture is thick enough to evenly coat the back
of a metal spoon, stir in rose water and remove
from heat. Pour into the cooled pie shells. Bake
for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until
the center is set, but the top is not browned.
Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until
serving.
DARYOLS ORIGINAL14th CENTURY ENGLISH RECIPE
(HEURISTIC)Take cream of cow milk, or of
almonds do there-to eggs with sugar, saffron and
salt. Mix it fair. Do it in a pie shell of 2 inch
deep bake it well and serve it forth.
5
RTI is a Work in Progress Some I\Areas Can Be
Managed Like an Algorithm While Others Require a
Heuristic Approch

• Reading Fluency. Can be approached as a fixed
  algorithm.
• DIBELS allows universal screening and
  progress-monitoring
• DIBELS benchmarks give indication of student risk
  status
• Classroom-friendly research-based fluency
  building interventions have been validated
• Study Skills. A complex set of skills whose
  problem-solving approach resembles a heuristic.
• Students basic set of study skills must be
  analyzed
• The intervention selected will be highly
  dependent on the hypothesized reason(s) for the
  students study difficulties
• The quality of the research on study-skills
  interventions varies and is still in development

6
What Are 5 dragon regions of RTI?
7
References

• 34 C.F.R. 300 301 (2006). Assistance to States
  for the Education of Children With Disabilities
  and Preschool Grants for Children With
  Disabilities.
• Barnett, D. W., Daly, E. J., Jones, K. M.,
  Lentz, F.E. (2004). Response to intervention
  Empirically based special service decisions from
  single-case designs of increasing and decreasing
  intensity. Journal of Special Education, 38,
  66-79.
• Fuchs, D., Mock, D., Morgan, P. L., Young, C.
  L. (2003). Responsiveness-to-Intervention
  Definitions, evidence, and implications for the
  learning disabilities construct. Learning
  Disabilities Research Practice, 18(3),
  157-171.
• Gresham, F. M. (2001). Responsiveness to
  intervention An alternative approach to the
  identification of learning disabilities. Paper
  presented at the Learning Disabilities Summit,
  Washington DC.
• Gresham, F. M. (1989). Assessment of treatment
  integrity in school consultation and prereferral
  intervention. School Psychology Review, 18, 3750