Explain RtI and its role in identifying SLD.

• A. RtI is a multi-tier system to improve instruction and monitor progress; insufficient progress despite high-quality instruction may lead to evaluation for disability.
• B. RtI is a single-test approach.
• C. RtI is only for elementary students.
• D. RtI is identical to IQ testing.

Answer: (A)

RtI stands for Response to Intervention. The core idea is to provide high-quality, evidence-based instruction to all students and closely monitor their progress over time. Students who don’t make adequate gains despite targeted supports at increasingly intensive levels are then evaluated to determine if a disability, such as an SLD, is present. This framework relies on data from progress monitoring rather than a single test, helping distinguish true instructional needs from other factors. RtI isn’t limited to elementary grades, and it isn’t the same as IQ testing, which assesses cognitive ability rather than how a student responds to instruction. So the best description is a multi-tier system to improve instruction and monitor progress, with insufficient progress despite high-quality instruction prompting an evaluation for disability.