Response to Intervention in Middle School: A Case Story

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a framework that may lead to better teaching and learning through its integration of instruction, intervention, and assessment. An increasing number of states are moving forward with RTI initiatives across grades K-12. The research base for RTI, however, is currently limited to elementary settings. Although this research can inform implementation in the middle grades, the differences in school structure and operations at these levels mean RTI at the middle level will probably look different than it does at the elementary level. This article provides an overview of RTI, focusing, particularly, on how RTI is consistent with many of the characteristics of successful middle schools (National Middle School Association, 2010), and describes in detail the experience and outcomes of RTI implementation in one middle school where the second author serves as principal. The article concludes with a discussion of lessons learned and implications for other middle schools considering RTI implementation.