Planning

The purpose of the Planning stage is to develop clear plans, processes, and procedures that lead to successful implementation and to construct the infrastructure and structural supports necessary to support RTI implementation. Some sites fail to plan or move too quickly through the planning process. Poor planning can lead to frustrated administrators and teachers, wasted resources, and ineffective implementation. By establishing infrastructure and proper supports prior to implementation, sites are more likely to experience increased practitioner and community support, more timely student benefit, and more efficient use of resources.

These supports include:

• Defining leadership roles
• Developing plans for implementation, professional development and evaluation
• Reallocating resources to support RTI implementation (e.g. funds, staff, and time)
• Creating policies, procedures, and guidance that support RTI
• Providing ongoing professional development
• Performing an “audit” of existing assessment and curricular materials to determine if they are evidence-based and culturally and linguistically responsive. Screening and progress monitoring assessments should be brief, reliable, and valid
• Conducting ongoing evaluation of progress in preparing for RTI implementation
• If necessary, creating and/or purchasing reliable and valid screening and progress monitoring tools that are culturally and linguistically responsive
• If necessary, creating and/or purchasing evidence based curriculums for core instruction and interventions that match the needs of the population and are culturally and linguistically responsive
• Engaging and building support among stakeholders throughout planning
• Designing a program evaluation method
• Revising the vision, framework, and goals, as necessary