What are some factors that should be addressed when implementing the RTI approach?
Page 10: Implement the Action Plan
The Mayflower planning team has created an action plan, and a majority of the teachers has agreed to support RTI. Now Mayflower Elementary begins the next stage of the change process: implementing the action plan. This process is complex and requires building an infrastructure, and because every school is unique, the infrastructure will differ from school to school. Therefore, schools need to prioritize the infrastructure components based on their needs. Most schools will have to balance:
- Resources
- Implementation guidelines
- Professional development
- Scheduling considerations
- Teacher support
- Parent-school partnerships
- Data management
Click on the audio link below to hear Brian Miller reiterate a principal’s need to gradually build an infrastructure for RTI (time: 0:30).
Transcript: Brian Miller
First, you look at the needs of your building: Where do we see our greatest needs? And then look at your strengths: What do you currently have in place? And instead of trying to jump into everything and do everything at one time, check what resources do we have to work with that we can gradually start to enhance and to make better and to pull things in as we go along? Nobody probably has the time or the money or the resources to do it all in one shot. Year by year, what can you add to the piece, how can you better utilize your staff, how can you better utilize your community?
In the stage referred to as implementing the plan, principals actively participate in the planning team, oversee day-to-day activities, work with the planning team to solve problems, and ensure that adequate resources are available. Additionally, they promote good communication with parents, support collaboration among staff, create a supportive climate, manage school-wide data, and support professional development activities.
