Square Up to RTI2
Response to Instruction & Intervention: March 2024
In this issue...
Spring Screener Dates
April 24- May 14 (all grades)
ILP-D
As we navigate the changes brought about by ILP-D, there are some important things to consider. Students with an ILP-D are served through the RTI2 Framework. This means that all requirements of RTI2 apply. Schools should still be conducting fidelity checks, recording notes at meetings, and sending home progress monitoring reports. You can access the slides from the virtual training here.
Also, if a student meets criteria for ILP-D, but your team determines that a student does not need an ILP-D at this time, you must upload multiple sources of data to support your decision. Some examples of data are: historical data from aimswebPlus, PASS, PWRS, SLA from aimswebPlus, as well as diagnostic assessments from core curriculum and intervention programs.
Fidelity Checks and Meeting Notes
Data Meeting Notes and Direct Fidelity Checks- record as usual for students with active RTI2 Student Plans.
ILP-D students- record in “Quarterly Monitoring Information” tile. Both Meeting Notes
and Fidelity Checks can be recorded here.
MTSS- navigate to student plan and choose "Screening/Observation" button to record fidelity checks.
Attendance
If the Aspen RTI2 plan has been marked previous and added to TNPulse or MTSS, students still must be enrolled in RTI classes in Aspen to record attendance.
Progress Monitoring
Students with plans in Aspen will receive RTI2 Progress Monitoring Letter as usual
(attach aimwebPlus progress monitoring graphs).
For students without a plan in Aspen but who have an ILP-D, use this ILP-D progress monitoring letter. These will be sent with ILP-D students along with their aimswebPlus progress monitoring graphs.
Here are the quick steps to conduct a plan review in MTSS. Reports for students with plans in MTSS can be printed. We are working with PCG to correct some issues with progress monitoring data being imported so you will need to attach the aimswebPlus reports with these letters as well.
Data Meetings
Data Meetings may look different as we move forward following new state guidance. The team is tasked with matching interventions with the specific area of deficit for each student, monitoring progress, and making adjustments as needed. The team needs to meet at least quarterly and after each universal screening window.
MTSS Platform
Many of you were able to attend the first training for our new MTSS platform. If you would like to view or review the training, click here. You may begin creating plans in the new platform now.
Congratulations to LETRS Grant Winners!
In our February Educator Highlight section, some fabulous educators were celebrated for winning LETRS grants. However, Tiffany Holmes was inadvertently left out. Our apologies to Ms. Holmes! Please see the corrected shoutout below.
Congratulations to LETRS Grant Winners!
Stephanie Dunn, Britany Ellis, Tiffany Holmes, and Ashley Barker have each been awarded a LETRS Science of Reading Grant! They will be part of a training cohort led by Dr. Louisa Moats as well as receiving materials for their schools! We are so proud of the work they already do and appreciate their eagerness to learn even more. We are so proud of these fabulous KCS educators.
Reading Rangers
- Students in T3 may be added to Reading Rangers
- Click Here for directions on how to add students.
Micro Moves to Strengthen Intervention
Positive Phone Calls
Kwame Sarfo-Mensah:
One small teaching move that we can make is to normalize the habit of proactively sharing positive communications to parents about their children. Click here to read about how communicating with parents can pay big dividends!
The Science of Dyslexia
Join this podcast with Jan Hasbrouck to learn about the latest research about the Science of Dyslexia. Dr. Hasbrouck also shares actionable teacher moves to support students with characteristics of Dyslexia.
Have you considered using Sound Walls instead of Word Walls?
It seems like EVERYONE is talking about sound walls! Do you have a sound wall in your classroom? Are you looking to learn more about how to use one?
You’re in the right place! Expert Mary Dahlgren shares all about sound walls, highlighting how sound walls support students!
Click here to learn more.
Educator Spotlight
Tifni Trammell is a 6th grade ELA, 6th grade Honors ELA, and an RTI2 6th grade T3 Reading Teacher, as well as the ELA Department Head at Holston Middle School. Her T3 Reading classroom is a calming, safe environment where her students can experience success. We are thankful for the work Ms. Trammell does for students of all levels!
From Tifni:
"My passion is teaching middle school, though I have taught in many different grades and programs. I have taught every grade 1st-8th--with the exception of 2nd and 3rd--as well as adult high school, GED Option, Adult Education, and several alternative options in my 20+ years in education. While each position was unique and important, middle school is my favorite! Middle Schoolers are trying to figure out who they are, what they will stand for, and who they want to become. I feel that it is a challenging time in their youth, but it is also a prime time for teachers to make a profound impact on their life.
I strive to make a positive impact in my ELA and RTI classes. These classes open up diverse topics as we progress through the stories and standards propelling discussion, reflection, and processing of information. Making learning applicable to their lives helps make connections with students--and it is fun for me. Seeing their minds internalizing concepts is invigorating! The fact that they understand my sense of humor and get my jokes--most of the time--adds even more enjoyment to teaching. Teaching, in my opinion, is a much broader responsibility than simply showing up each day to teach skills, master standards, and achieve high standardized test scores. Providing a classroom that is welcoming, predictable, and safe for students to think critically, work together, and build relationships is crucial. Teaching is a way of life for me. It brings challenges and joys; it is a calling that I take very seriously."
Podcasts
Materials Ordering Links
Click on these links to order materials:
The SPIRE placement test is available here and should be used to determine appropriate placement of students.
Intervention Menus
Department Staff
Paula Sarver
RTI2 Specialist/Region 5
Kalie Snipes
Secondary Math RTI2 Facilitator, District
Beth Underwood
RTI2 District Facilitator
bethany.underwood@knoxschools.org
Peggy Burkey
RTI2 Facilitator Region 1
Jan Coopwood
RTI2 Facilitator Region 2
Ashley Hurst
RTI2 Facilitator Region 3
Tammy Farmer
RTI2 Facilitator Region 4
Judy Fugate
RTI2 Facilitator Region 5