Math is a challenging subject, but one that is necessary for everyday applications. Whether it’s counting out money, using basic arithmetic or recognizing sequences, math concepts are constantly being used. When math is introduced in the elementary curriculum, some students become overwhelmed with basic addition and subtraction. If these basic building blocks are not fully understood, students will continue to have difficulties in math. Fortunately, there’s no need to let this happen to your students. With an elementary math intervention program, educators and parents can step in and offer the necessary support to get kids back on track.

Understanding Response to Intervention

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tiered approach to intervention. It is based on three different tiers with increasing levels of difficulty. The services provided within RTI are tailored toward the needs of each individual student instead of focusing on a large-scale approach.

Tier 1 is the base level, which the majority of students receive. It also makes up the largest level and one that will be overcome easily by students with minor struggles. Since there is so much differentiation between students, it’s important to offer much flexibility in this tier.

Tier 2 is for a smaller group of students that require additional interventions. The interventions in this tier are expanded lessons from the first tier and commonly referred to as strategic or supplemental.

Tier 3 is the smallest group and represents those students who need more intensive interventions. These students are those that are at risk for failing and have demonstrated low performance on testing and instructional proficiency.

Actions, Not Classifications

When students start to fall behind, they often become embarrassed and frustrated. The three tiers within RTI are not meant to classify students but serve as actions. For example, a student in Tier 2 is not recognized as a “Tier 2 student” but instead is receiving intervention at the Tier 2 level. The tiers leave room for differentiated lessons and track the progress of each child so that educators can watch for the students that progress quickly with little intervention, while focusing on the students that require more demanding interventions. » Read more: The Importance of Implementing an Elementary Math Intervention Program for Struggling Students