Using RTI for School Improvement

Cara Shores began her career as a special education teacher and taught children in both pullout and inclusive classrooms. Shores has trained thousands of teachers and administrators across the United States on practical strategies for inclusion, co-teaching, and increasing achievement for all students through differentiated instruction and RTI. She provides regional and national training for the Council for Exceptional Children. She is co-author of Response to Intervention: A Practical Guide for Every Teacher. Shores now serves as the president of Wesley Educational Services. She received her master's degree and educational specialists's degree from the University of West Georgia and has served as student support services coordinator and district director of special education. Kim Chester served as a regular education teacher in an inclusive classroom for many years. During this time, she implemented effective principles of co-teaching and differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs in her classroom. After her youngest child was born with cerebral palsy, she went back to school to receive her MEd in special education from Kennesaw State University. Currently, she works as a parent mentor in her local school system, as a region AYP consultant, and an educational consultant for Wesley Educational Services. In addition, Chester serves on various committees, including the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities in Georgia. She enjoys working with students and teachers in classroom settings and providing practical strategies for raising student achievement through inclusion, co-teaching, differentiated instruction, behavior management, and RTI.

Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Creating Vision and Framework 2. Selecting and Implementing Ongoing Assessment 3. Determining Appropriate Research-Based Interventions 4. Providing Effective Instruction for All: Tier 1 5. Establishing an Intervention Structure for At-Risk Students: Tier 2 6. Delivering Intensive Intervention to Non-Responders: Tier 3 7. Bringing It All Together: A Model for System Implementation References Index

"The straightforward nature of the text will be appealing to practicing general and special education teachers." -- Debi Gartland, Professor of Special Education "This book does a good job of addressing the issues and challenges I have experienced during my career as teacher, staff developer, and administrator. The authors seek to inform and establish understanding." -- Susan N. Imamura, Retired Principal "Provides teachers with a comprehensive explanation of RTI and strategies to help teachers implement the process successfully. Examples and cases studies provide teachers and administration with vivid illustrations of how the RTI process can be implemented to support all children's learning." -- Michelle Barnea, Early Childhood Consultant "Shores and Chester offer clear instructions and sage advice that will fast-forward the widespread adoption of RTI, ultimately providing ALL of our children with better chances for academic success." -- Jim Grant, Educational Consultant, Author