Responsive Teachers in RTI

How do we, as teachers, do everything in our power to ensure that each of our students, no matter their background, become literate and proficient readers? This is the question that each of us must ask ourselves when we begin in this journey to becomes molders of the human mind. Literacy rates among United State's schools and her students are not at the level they need to be. We have students that are left behind very early on and are left playing catch for the remainder of their careers.

In Love's article, "A Child’s Response to Intervention Requires a Responsive Teacher of Reading," she outlines the principles and steps that we should follow in order to meet these students early on in order for them to stay out of special education and to not fall behind. She makes some very basic but important points about how a child learns and how that an intervention is only successful in the student shows improvement. It makes me wonder how many of out 'great ideas' and interventions are thought to be great even though there is no improvement seen?

Lastly, we must have relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. The teachers must lead the way and be pro active in receiving professional development and taking constructivist criticism that will make us more proficient teachers for the most 'at risk' students. What are some other ways that we can improve our teaching? What are some other ways that we can address at risk students?

http://www.readingplus.com/our-system/response-to-intervention