Which statement best describes Response to Intervention (RTI) in schools?

• A. A temporary intervention provided to general education students who aren’t making adequate education progress
• B. It occurs after a student has been evaluated for a learning disability
• C. It replaces all standardized testing
• D. It is only used for students with an Individual Education Program

Answer: (A)

RTI is a proactive, data-driven framework in schools that uses a multi-tiered system to support students who aren’t making adequate progress. It starts with high-quality core instruction for all students, then adds increasingly intensive targeted interventions within the general education setting, with frequent progress monitoring to determine if the student is responding. The goal is to identify and address learning needs early before considering special education evaluation, and to adjust supports based on how the student is responding. It is not about replacing standardized testing, and it is not restricted to students with an Individual Education Program—RTI applies to general education students and can inform further referral decisions if needed. Therefore, describing RTI as a temporary intervention provided to general education students who aren’t making adequate progress best captures its role as the early, in-general-education, data-driven response to insufficient progress.