Evaluating Learning Disabilities Using RTI

 In 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 continuing education units

Course Description:

Using a student's Response to Intervention data to determine eligibility for Specific Learning Disability can be a complicated process. This course will show educators how to use the data they have collected to help students become successful learners and receive the academic help they need. Educators will learn how to navigate the entire RTI process: from screening, writing appropriate interventions, involving parents, conducting a comprehensive evaluation and writing Individual Education Plans. Other topics in the course will include describing the dual-discrepancy method for documenting student responses, using observations to determine how students interact with their instructional environments, how to support students with persistent academic difficulties and how to rule out inadequate instruction as a cause for learning disabilities. In addition to reading and responding to the latest publications concerning Response to Intervention, course participants will also have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a variety of practical applications.

Goals and Objectives

As a result of participation in this course, students should:

1. Align assessment procedures and interventions with teaching and student learning, using curriculum based measurement and evaluation.

2. Rule out inadequate instruction as the cause of specific learning disability and consider other factors, such as cultural, economic, or environmental disadvantage, limited English proficiency or emotional disturbance.

3. Use collected RTI data from formal and informal assessment to design an Individualized Education Plan that is specific to the student's needs.

4. Involve parents in the assessment process and help them implement the targeted interventions at home.

5. Conduct appropriate student observations and use the collected data to either determine eligibility for specific learning disability and/or develop interventions to meet student academic needs.

Texts/Readings

The required reading is found in the text listed below:

Kovaleski, J. F., VanDerHeyden, A.M., & Shapiro, E.S. (2013). The RTI approach to evaluating learning disabilities. New York: Guilford Press.