Tier 3 of the RTI Model
Problem Solving Through a Case Study Approach
- Sawyer Hunley - University of Dayton, USA
- Kathy McNamara - Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland State University, USA
Published in Association with National Association of School Psychologists
"This book offers critical, practical, coherent, comprehensive, and research-based information for schools and districts implementing an RTI framework of intervention. It maps a seamless process of support that enables school psychologists and school teams to provide tiered interventions to increase student achievement."
—Jane Wagmeister, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Continuous Improvement, RTI Co-Chair Task Force
Ventura County Office of Education
Identify students' learning needs and make appropriate decisions regarding instruction and intervention!
Response to Intervention (RTI) is a three-tiered framework that helps all students by providing targeted interventions at increasing levels of intensity. This detailed guide to tier 3 of the RTI model provides school psychologists and RTI teams with a case study approach to conducting intensive, comprehensive student evaluations.
With step-by-step guidelines for Grades K–12, this resource demonstrates how to develop a specific case study for students who are struggling in the general classroom. Focusing exclusively on the third tier, the book:
- Provides guidance on problem identification and analysis, progress monitoring, selection of research-based interventions, and evaluation of case study outcomes
- Addresses both academic and behavioral challenges, including mental health issues
- Shows how school psychologists can collaborate with other members of the RTI team
- Provides tools for assessment and for tracking progress
Tier 3 of the RTI Model guides school psychologists through the involved, in-depth process of building a case study that identifies student needs and helps educators determine the best way to educate students with learning challenges.
Context and History |
The Response to Intervention Process |
The Case Study Model and Prereferral Intervention |
Summary |
Assessment Methods |
Assessment at Tier 1 |
Assessment at Tier 2 |
Assessing Behavior |
Summary |
School Psychologist as Systems Change Agent |
Evaluating the System |
Goal Setting |
RTI Implementation |
Summary |
Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
Tier 3 |
Behavioral Definition of the Problem |
Problem Certification: Establishing the Severity of the Discrepancy Between Actual and Expected Performance |
Formulating Intervention Goals |
Planning Data-Collection Activities for Baseline Measurement and Progress Monitoring |
Assessment of Factors Related to the Problem |
Summary |
Generating Hypotheses |
Primary and Secondary Dependent Variables |
Types of Hypotheses |
Intervention Selection |
Hypothesis Testing |
Summary |
Single-Case Design and Hypothesis Testing |
Single-Case Design and Progress Monitoring |
Choosing a Single-Case Design |
Summary |
Selecting Research-Based Interventions |
Intervention Integrity |
Linking Interventions to Hypotheses |
Characteristics of Effective Academic Interventions |
Characteristics of Effective Behavioral Interventions |
Targets of Intervention |
Summary |
Visual Analysis |
Conducting Visual Analyses |
Magnitude of Change |
Choosing, Calculating, and Interpreting Effect Sizes |
Quality of the Outcome: Goal-Attainment Scaling |
Choosing Evaluation Methods and Judging Outcomes |
Summary |
Disability Versus Eligibility Determination |
Responsiveness Versus Resistance |
Using Case Study Information for Special Education Eligibility Determination |
RTI and Specific Learning Disabilities |
Decision Making in Eligibility Determination |
Technical Adequacy of Decision-Making Practices |
Eligibility Decisions |
Summary |
Case Study Structure |
Case Study Rubric |
Case Study: Morgan |
Case Study: Reggie |
Evaluation of School Psychology Services and Programs |
Case Study Fidelity |
Intervention Integrity |
Magnitude of Change |
Goal-Attainment Scaling |
Summary |
“This book provides a timely and crucial resource for school psychologists who seek to use best practices in responsive intervention. It shows each step of tier 3 case study methods and how they relate to all other aspects of RTI.”
“This book offers critical, practical, coherent, comprehensive, and research-based information for schools and districts implementing an RTI framework of intervention. It maps a seamless process of support that enables school psychologists and school teams to provide tiered interventions to increase student achievement.”
“This is a GREAT book. Comprehensive, easy to understand for psychologists. Great attitude about the process—positive, helpful.”
"The case studies are relevant and incorporate the key elements of collaborative problem solving, data-based decision making, logical linkage between the stages, and fidelity of case study procedures. This is an excellent resource for educators. Highly Recommended."
HEOA Compliance
Available formats
ISBN: 9781412953306 | Hardcover | Suggested Retail Price: $80.95 | Bookstore Price: $64.76 |
ISBN: 9781412953313 | Paperback | Suggested Retail Price: $36.95 | Bookstore Price: $29.56 |
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