RISS RtI Project Summary

The RISS (RSU Intervention Support System) Response to Intervention project was recently funded with a Maine Department of Education IDEA professional development grant. RISS provides professional development and support in Response to Intervention (RtI) system design and implementation in two pilot site Regional School Units (RSU’s) located in the Western Maine Partnership’s membership area and their associated Child Development Services (CDS) sites. RISS focuses on:

  1. Response to Intervention system design and implementation in the two RSU’s 16 schools (eight elementary schools, three high schools, three middle schools, and one 7-12 school).
  2. Responding to the unique strengths and challenges of RtI system design in RSU’s;
  3. Initial focus on literacy interventions in both RSU’s followed closely by mathematics in RSU 10 and positive behavior interventions and support in RSU 38.

RISS RtI Project Goals

  1. Increase the number of effective RtI systems in a majority of the schools in each RSU.
  2. Increase opportunities for collaborative work and learning among special educators, CDS staffs, and other educators in the two pilot RSU’s.
  3. Increase the number of schools in the two RSU’s using a continuous improvement model to implement and sustain RtI systems over time.
  4. Increase the information available on effective school and district RtI system implementation.

RtI Tools and Processes

With its RSU and school partners, RISS will develop and disseminate a number of helpful RtI tools and processes for use at the school and district levels, including:

  • Comprehensive classroom, school, and district RtI needs assessments.
  • Tips on how to use needs assessments to design effective RtI systems.
  • School and district action planning frameworks.
  • “White papers” describing lessons learned and the recommendations of project study groups exploring solutions to RtI implementation issues.
  • A school RtI audit process to provide feedback and opportunities for reflection on RtI implementation and next steps.

 

Contact:

 

Heidi McGinley
Project Director
RSU Intervention Support System (RISS)
Maine Support Network
P.O. Box 390

Readfield, ME 04355
heidi@mainesupportnetwork.org

Cell: 207.754.4363