RTI²-B

(Response to Instruction and Intervention- Behavior)

Response to Instruction and Intervention-Behavior (RTI²-B) is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that offers a powerful, evidence-based approach for meeting the behavioral and social needs of students in Tennessee schools.

RTI²-B is a framework for prevention and intervention within an integrated, three-tiered approach. Each tier of the framework involves careful reflection on the needs of students, the design of interventions matching those needs, and the collection of data to evaluate progress (individually for students and collectively as a school). All of these efforts require a shared school-wide commitment to teach and reinforce positive behavior. It also involves adopting an optimistic view that all students can learn appropriate behavior if sufficient and supportive opportunities to learn are provided. When using positive behavior supports in all three tiers (e.g., focusing on teaching students the behaviors we want to see, as opposed to punishing the behaviors we don’t want to see, and developing relationships between students and school staff), schools create a culture where all students and teachers are respected and included in their community. Furthermore, student and staff contributions to the school create a positive and proactive way to acknowledge, engage, and respect all stakeholders.

Tier I: Tier I focuses on the behavioral and social needs of all students across the school environment. Approximately 80% of students typically respond to this level of support. Tier I includes establishing school-wide expectations to support a sense of safety and inclusion among students and staff, teaching and modeling those expectations within different settings throughout the school, positively acknowledging students and staff who follow these expectations, having a formal system for responding to inappropriate behavior, and maintaining a school-wide system where all stakeholders’ opinions are valued.

Tier II: Tier II involves delivering more targeted interventions for approximately 10-15% of students who do not respond to Tier I supports. Tier II interventions are provided in addition to Tier I supports in place for all students in the school. Interventions at Tier II are typically systematic, evidence-based interventions that are delivered to groups of students at a time. For example, Tier II interventions typically include small-group social skills instruction, behavior contracts, self-monitoring plans, and check-in/check-out.

Tier III: Tier III includes individualized interventions for approximately 3-5% of students who do not respond to Tier I or Tier II interventions and supports. Tier III interventions involve the implementation of specialized, one-on-one systems for students. Examples of Tier III supports include individualized counseling and function-based interventions.