State Policies and Procedures on Response to Intervention

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State Policies and Procedures on Response to Intervention in the Midwest Region, a study by REL Midwest, describes response to intervention in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The report examines states’ interest in and planning and policy development for response to intervention and the extent to which states are supporting such initiatives.
Similarities across the six states on this issue include the following:

• Response to intervention discussions were initially driven by the special education departments in each state but are now a collaborative effort between general and special education.

• Response to intervention is viewed as a vehicle for improving education for all students and informing decisions about eligibility for special education.

• Response to intervention efforts are connected to other state initiatives.

• State policymakers recognize the importance of allowing districts the flexibility to tailor implementation to local needs.

• States provide general guidance to districts and schools on what response to intervention typically entails. They also provide professional development, technical assistance, and funding to districts.

• All states are collecting data on the extent to which response to intervention is being implemented.