A comprehensive response to intervention plan to assist in determining possible special education eligibility

In response to legislative changes in grade level expectations found in the No Child Left Behind Education Act and eligibility for special education changes in the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act, there has recently been an increasing focus on the concept of Response to Intervention. Some local school districts may already have a response to intervention plan in place to assist in determining possible eligibility for special education, but other school districts may not truly understand the concept. This study gathers data and develops a plan for a district with little knowledge about response to intervention. It begins with research to explain response to intervention, its purpose, and its importance. A survey was then conducted of all teachers and administrators in a K-12 public school district to determine understanding and readiness for response to intervention. Using this information, a response to intervention plan was developed including curriculum suggestions and implementation tools. The plan is designed to allow any school district to use the same tool contained within this study to then customize this plan as needed for use in the district.