A Leadership Guide - Developing Curriculum Based Decision Making Teams with Response to Intervention

A new vision and role is emerging in the field of schoolanswer specific questions, not as part of a standard
psychology, demanding a revision of the traditionalmenu. For example, starting with the hardest item and
'tester/interpreter' to that of skilled and knowledgeablegoing down to the easier ones, if the child doesn't pass
facilitator/leader in the area of Curriculum Basedthe highest level... i.e.- the child may not be able to
Decision Making (CBDM) and Response to Intervention'produce' the right letter, they may be able to 'identify'
(RTI). Curriculum Based Decision Making and problemthe right letter. The definition of a 'task' is the objective.
solving assessment is a welcome change in education,The objective could be related to content, behavior,
which may help to address concern in the areas ofconditions or Criteria for Acceptable Performance
the psychology/isolation of educators, teacher(CAP). Fluency - Requires accuracy first. Automaticity
development, and trust required in order to successfully- Maintaining fluency and accuracy in context a task is
accomplish real change in an education system, mostmore than content. It's all of the components above. If
importantly, school improvement and student learning. Ina student makes errors in a timed reading, don't give
order to fully grasp the concepts required in thean error passage just don't time it. Have them practice
facilitation/supervision role, psychologists must have theit multiple times. PRACTICE is more powerful than
more broad understanding in the fundamental areas ofFEEDBACK! Caution on giving feedback . . . if you say,
the historical perspective, problem solving, curriculum"Good, you got the answer right", the child may have
based decision making teams, tiered interventioncopied the answer from a neighbor so they just
systems, using research and reason in education, andreceived positive feedback for cheating. Place the
getting started.emphasis on the process rather than the product. A
Leadership and Vision: A new role for schoolteacher that has to answer the same question over
psychologistsand over, teach them the procedures for figuring out
Successful schools fulfill individual needs throughthe answer themselves. Relate to wearing a coat at
organizational goals. Team members are able torecess, remembering their homework, etc. (Howell,
brainstorm for alternative teaching and assessment2005)
strategies (Glickman, Gordon, and Ross-Gordon, 2004,Curriculum-Based Decision Making (RTI) TEAMS
p. 5) and envision ways to address most, if not all,In Problem Solving Assessment, an expanded and
students within the general education program. Amongimportant role is also envisioned for the CBDM team.
suggested ethics and professional roles for schoolCurrently, many teams consist of regular educators
psychologists reflected in the literature, two in particularand are used as a "rubber stamp" to send referred
suggest direct involvement and facilitation of thestudents on for testing. They may lack the procedures,
leadership role in Curriculum Based Decision Makingtime, or experience to provide meaningful suggestions
and Response to Intervention. "Competent practitionersto one of their peers having problems with an individual
are committed to a proactive rather than reactivestudent. In PSA, emphasis is placed on providing
stance in ethical thinking and conduct. They use theireffective intervention sooner rather than later. After
broad knowledge of ethical codes, professionalcareful analysis on building resources, the team may
standards, and law along with ethical reasoning skills toconsist of regular educators, special educators,
anticipate and prevent problems from arising," andcounselors, school psychologists, behavior
"skilled practitioners are able to analyze the ethicalinterventionists, and the child's parents.
dimensions of a situation and demonstrate aEach member brings his or her own expertise
well-developed ability to reason about ethical issues.regarding the child and education, personality, and
They have mastered and make use of aassessment to the table. Not only does this
problem-solving model," (Jacob & Hartshorne, 1992,arrangement have the chance of providing earlier
p. 4). Based on these premises, it stands to reasonintervention, it may cut the costs of later testing and
that a competent school psychologist would be themore importantly, lessen the stigma to students who
best candidate in facilitation, leadership, implementation,go through the verification procedures and emerge
and oversight of active and prevalent problem solvingwith a Special Education label. In the PSA model,
teams, able to lend expertise, guidance, leadership, andemphasis is placed on students being helped by
support to teams in attempting to meet the learninginterventions in the regular classroom if possible. If not,
needs of all students.resources already available to the school can
Effective leaders and school systems havegenerate much data concerning the student before
established learning goals for all of their students, whichreferral to the Multidisciplinary team.
is consistent with the concept of public education in aBuilding Resources
Democratic society. As such, these schools areAnalyzing and maximizing the use of building and
"always studying teaching and learning, settingdistrict resources makes sense in terms of providing
common priorities, making decisions about internalquality service to children and their families as well as
changes and resource allocations, and assessingrecognizing the need for affordability. Tapping the
effects on student learning," (Glickman, et al., 2004, p.resources that are already available is a crucial step in
6). The new vision for school psychologists will includethe ecological approach to child-focused
a purposeful vision of what teaching and learningdecision-making. Utilizing these virtually untapped
should be and the collaboration with administrators,resources may allow for a more cost-effective
teachers, and other members of the CBDM team,approach to interventions, while providing services to
acting as the glue utilizing knowledge and interpersonalthe child that may have previously remained
skills, along with consultative, behavioral, and technicalunrecognized by the team (UNK, professional seminar
skills to help develop and carry out instructional andseries).
behavioral improvement plans school-wide, class-wide,Ecological Assessment
and individually (Glickman, et al., 2004, pp. 8-9).Ethically, a child should receive assessment based on
The new role for school psychologists will affectthe notion, "One score does not a label make."
student learning and teacher development throughAssessment should include multiple sources, multiple
consultation, direct observation and intervention, groupsettings, and multiple methods. The active CBDM team
professional development, and prereferral activitiesshould effectively screen those who do not need a full
directly related to the problem solving approachcomprehensive assessment. For those students, who
(Glickman, et al., 2004, p. 12). Directly addressing thehave been determined by the team to be in need of a
difficulty of teachers regarding professional andfull comprehensive assessment, every effort should be
personal isolation, frustration, and (sometimes)made to look at the whole picture. Is this truly a
inadequate resources, the CBDM team and schoolbehavior problem, or could it be an intolerant adult
psychologist facilitator-leader can improve learning byproblem? Is this truly a learning problem, or is it a
avoiding the isolation of teachers, and "insteadteaching style/learning style mismatch (Curwin &
encourage professional dialogue and collaboration."Mendler, 1988)? Defining the strengths and
Since "teaching in effective schools is collective ratherweaknesses of children through the testing process,
than individual enterprise," (Glickman, et al., 2004, pp.and applying this knowledge within the team setting
20-27).allows for more appropriate interventions to be
Historygenerated (Daly & Glover, 2006).
Over the past 25 years, the percentage of studentsPrescriptive Teaching
placed in programs for Learning Disabilities hasThe concept of prescriptive teaching assumes that
increased to the point that 50% of all students ineach individual teacher has certain teaching strengths
special education are labeled learning disabled (Fuchs,or certain modes of teaching in which they are most
Fuchs, & Speece, 2002). The debate over thecomfortable and that each individual student has
discrepancy model for placement in learning disabilitycertain learning strengths or modes in which he or she
programs has been ongoing. Recently, a model utilizinglearns best. The goal of PSA is to discover each of
a student's response to intervention as a replacementthese modes and to be flexible in trying to match
model has been studied. This approach to identificationteaching style with student learning style. To do this
utilizing an intervention responsiveness approachcan help students reach their potential and reduce
(Fuchs, Mock, Morgan, & Young, 2003), attemptsfrustration of teachers who are doing their best to help
to examine levels of student performance, gauge thethe student learn. Be creative with staff usage! Think
effects of individual student adaptation to regular"ours," not "theirs and ours," (Howell, 2005).
education interventions and accommodations, andMulti-tier Models of Services Delivery: What Is a Tier of
finally verify the effectiveness of special educationIntervention?
programming prior to placement (Fuchs, et al, 2002).Tiers of Intervention refer to a 3-Tier model in which
Regular Education Interventioninstruction is varied over time in response to students
General education intervention, previously termedincreasing needs. The 3-Tier Reading Model is
"pre-assessment" or "prereferral," is based on thedesigned to meet the instructional needs of all students,
problem-solving model. CBDM (RTI) teams should beincluding those who are slow starters and those who
flexible and should be determined by the area(s) ofcontinue to struggle in the early elementary grades. For
concern including age and needs of the child. In additionstudents whose response to the first and second tiers
to the parents of the child, the team may consist of:of intervention is not adequate, the third tier provides
building principal, referring teacher, regular educationongoing intervention tailored to meet their specific
teachers, special education teachers, counselor,instructional needs (Vaughn, 2006).
transition coordinator, related services personnel, schoolTier One Instruction
nurse, Title I or Section 504 coordinator, or others asTier One is designed to provide for the majority of
deemed appropriate by the team.students instructional needs and is comprised of three
The team bases their interventions on a child'selements: a research based core program, benchmark
strengths and concerns. The team attempts totesting of students to determine instructional needs at
remediate the child's concerns through regularleast three times per year, and ongoing professional
education interventions. When a child demonstrates adevelopment (Beebe-Frankenberger, 2006).
need for supports or is struggling behind his or herTier Two Intervention
peers, the team meets to discuss potentialTier Two intervention is for students for whom Tier
accommodations and supports needed in order toOne instruction appears to be insufficient. Tier Two is
best meet the child's needs. A child may not befor students falling behind on benchmarks skills, and
referred for a comprehensive evaluation until such timerequires additional intervention to achieve grade-level
that a team has documented the exhaustion of regularachievement. Tier Two is small-group supplemental
education intervention supports utilizing scientificallyinstruction in addition to the time allotted for core
based interventions, and they suspect that the childreading instruction. Tier Two may include programs,
has a disability or the parent requests the evaluationstrategies, and procedures designed and employed to
and the school agrees that the evaluation issupplement, enhance, and support Tier One. Tier Two
appropriate.instruction starts as soon as possible after students
Identification and Placementhave been identified as falling behind grade
USC Sec 300. 308 and 300.540 of the Individuals withexpectations through benchmark testing. After the first
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), mandates that the10- to 12-week round of Tier Two instruction, a
determination of whether or not a child suspected ofdecision should be made about the student's
having a specific learning disability qualifies for specialinstructional needs by the CBDM (RTI) team (Vaughn,
education be made by the child's parents and a team2006).
of qualified professionals, which must include the child'sTier Three Intervention
regular education teacher, at least one person qualifiedTier Three intervention is intensive, strategic,
to conduct individual diagnostic examinations andsupplemental and often considerably longer in duration
interpret such information such as a schoolthan the 10 to 20 weeks of supplemental instruction
psychologist, speech language pathologist, or remedialprovided in Tier Two. Tier Three is specifically
reading teacher. Prior to the most recentdesigned and customized small-group reading
reauthorization, the team was required to determine ifinstruction that is extended beyond the time allocated
a suspected student demonstrated a severefor Tiers One and Two (Beebe-Frankenberger, 2006).
discrepancy between ability and achievement. MeaningUsing Research and Reason in Education
the child's achievement in math, reading, writing, orSchools are now required to demonstrate the use and
language was significantly different than the child'sdocumentation of scientifically based instruction (NCLB).
measure of ability (commonly referred to as IQ score).As professionals, teachers can learn to recognize and
The reauthorization of IDEA, removed the requirementidentify scientifically based practice by using basic
to show a discrepancy between ability andresearch concepts. Educators are informed by formal
achievement using an IQ test. This does not indicatescientifically based research via the archival
that ability testing will be banned, but there will be aresearch-based knowledge like that found in
strong possibility that psychologists will forgo this piecepeer-reviewed educational journals. Educators may
of the comprehensive evaluation in certaingain continued exposure to scientific research through
circumstances. USC 300.307(a)(2) of the IDEA states,professional journals, graduate courses, and becoming
"the criteria adopted by the State must permit the uselifelong learners (Stanovich, & Stanovich, 2003).
of a process based on the child's response toThe scientific criteria for evaluating a credible source
scientific, researched based intervention."include:
Response to Intervention Models· The publication of findings in refereed journals
Critics of traditional ability testing question the(scientific publications that employ a process of peer
appropriateness of using child-based characteristics forreview),
treatment matching rather than classroom· the duplication of the results by other
accommodation and varied instructional interventions.investigators, and
Response to Instruction models focus on the context· a consensus within a particular research
of learning and instruction as a potential reason for thecommunity on whether there is a critical mass of
child's difficulties rather than automatically consideringstudies that point toward a particular conclusion.
the problems to be a "child's deficit" (Fuchs, et al., 2003).(Stanovich, & Stanovich, 2003)
Over the years we have evolved a process throughEmpiricism is considered to be the practice of relying
which we try to find the student entitled for fundingon observation to gain knowledge. However,
first, and then we get around to developing anempiricism alone will not lead to scientific knowledge.
appropriate educational program to meet her needs.Scientific knowledge is gained through introducing
That is backwards! Because need is one criteria fortheories, which are tested empirically (theory -
entitlement, finding a solution to the student's learningprediction - testing - theory modification).
problems has to come first, only then can a teamObjectivity means "nature speaks for itself." In other
brainstorm a solution. A team cannot draw conclusionswords, experimentation is reported honestly and
about need from evidence of a disability (the secondwithout bias. Objectivity is, therefore, critical to the
criterion for entitlement). This is Curriculum Basedprocess of gaining scientific knowledge. The scientific
Decision Making (CBDM) (Howell, 2005).criteria for peer review and the replication of findings
Shifting Our View of the Problem: The Problem is notprovides the checks and balance regarding the
the Disability!objectivity of the scientific process. In education, it is
It used to be assumed that recognition of the disabilitysometimes difficult to obtain a "cut and dried" outcome
did tell us something about need. That was because,regarding the efficacy of a program. Therefore, a
as it developed, the field of special education retainedprofessional judgment call is made utilizing the
many of the assumptions that go with medical"preponderance of evidence" (the principle of
treatment. These included that the: client is ill; cause ofconverging evidence). Research is considered "highly
the illness must be determined before treatment canconvergent" when a series of outcomes consistently
be started; evaluation focuses on the client; treatmentsupports one theoretical approach to instruction. Clearly
is directed at the client; treatment often requiresthere are some areas of educational research lacking
modifications in expectations because the; underlyingin research-based consensus. Even when teachers
pathology cannot be corrected; and problem isare well aware of the scientific criteria for evaluating a
interactive (Howell, 2005).credible source, the literature often fails to provide
The central question is not: "What about the learner isclear and convincing direction. Educators will need to
causing the performance discrepancy?"utilize their own strong reasoning processes gained
The central question is: "What about the interaction ofthrough teaching experiences. Looking into an opinion
the curriculum instruction, learner and learningarticle, an educator might consider if the author used
environment should be altered so that the child willpeer-reviewed research on which to base their opinion.
learn?" (Howell, 2005)Is the author referring to more than one reference for
The emphasis of our inquiry is the target of thethe basis of their opinion? Do the authors cite the
educational interaction --- learning. And learning isworks of other researchers or based their opinions
illustrated with measures that show us how thesolely on their own works? We can use the same
student's behavior is changing in the areas (academic,evaluative techniques applied towards presenters at
social or task-related) in which he or she is beingworkshops or conferences (Stanovich, &
taught (Daly & Glover, 2006).Stanovich, 2003).
The Shift in Focus:Teachers may also utilize the "connectivity principle" to
We must become immediately interested in measuresa new teaching method. Is it linked to peer reviewed
which directly sample the curriculum and that areresearch? Is it based on scientifically proven theories
sensitive to instruction. That is because the emphasisor related to other scientifically based instruction? Even
of our inquiry is the target of . . .with the total absence of empirical evidence, there
Domains of Influence in Problem Solving:could still be a theoretical link to the consensus in the
· Instruction - How we teach what is beingcurriculum literature supporting the method (Stanovich,
taught& Stanovich, 2003).
· Curriculum - What is being taughtSystems Thinking
· Environment - Context where learning is toImplementing CBDM requires a shift in thinking from
occur"ours and yours" (general education and special
· Learner - Characteristics intrinsic to theeducation students) to that of an integrated system
individual in relation to the concern (Howell, 2005)designed to serve all students. It is a belief system in
Problem Solving: Shifting the Emphasis fromwhich everyone agrees that students' problems can
Measurement to Evaluationbe defined and changed through scientifically based
Evaluation is a process of comparison that leadsinstruction and intervention. Enabling learning rather than
ultimately to the drawing of conclusions and the makinga "rubber stamp" towards special education placement
of judgments. To make good decisions we need tois the goal. Knowing why learning problems occur and
elevate the role of evaluation over measurement.figuring how to solve them is the goal. Intervention is
Stressing the dynamic nature of the problem-solvingderived from gathering data and analyzing the results,
process does this. It is also done by seeing to it thatand assessments will serve multiple purposes, which
measures (in the form of reviews, interviews,will lead to appropriate instructional decisions for
observations and tests) are given to answer specificchildren (Allison, 2006).
questions, not as part of a standard menu (Howell,Big Ideas
2005).· Decide what is important for students to
Shifting the focus from unalterable to alterableknow.
variables:· Teach what is important.
Moving the focus from unalterable variables to· Keep track of how students are doing.
alterable variables allows educators to get information· Make changes according to the results you
about things that they can do something about (Howell,collect. (Howell, 2005)
2005).Guiding Principles
Unalterable Variables-things that cannot be alteredChildren's needs should be met in the general
through instruction (i.e., IQ, physical/medical status, liveseducational setting and with the general education
with a single parent, prior knowledge); however,curriculum. Proactive instruction should be provided
unalterable does not mean unimportant!before concerns arise; no "wait to fail." Teachers need
Alterable Variable - something that can be alteredadequate tools, a variety of research-based strategies,
through instruction. (Howell, 2005)support, and resources in order to meet the needs of
"Education is a social process. Education is growth.all students. Quality professional development is
Education is not a preparation for life; education is lifeessential to effect systemic change and improve
itself."student learning. Administrative and teacher leadership
John Deweyteams are needed (Glickman, Gordon, Ross-Gordon,
The Problem Solving Approach (PSA)2004, pp. 208-209). Parents are vital members of the
The rationale behind the CBDM team, is the processteam. Each school has a unique culture, set of
of moving toward problem solving assessment. Whatresources, and needs requiring a tailored system of
is Problem Solving Assessment? Problem Solvingdecision-making.
Assessment (PSA) is an educational assessmentFoundational Problem Solving
model that seeks to maximize the resources availableThere is more than one way to implement an RTI
to schools while at the same time minimizing costs.model; however, it must be done with integrity and
Many of the resources available to schools reside infidelity! Identify and support key people within your
the school, in the home, and in the larger community.school/district, the "movers and shakers," and develop
Traditionally these resources have remained untapped.a plan on the use and/or need for resources (Allison,
Lacking are the coordination, organization, and attitude2006). School psychologists have an even greater
necessary to utilize this pool of potential solutions toopportunity to make meaningful and lasting impact on
learning problems. PSA is an education model thatstudent learning by understanding and embracing the
seeks to empower individuals within schools andnew vision for facilitation and leadership in RTI, as the
communities to help provide solutions to thefuture of our profession. By becoming a leader in
educational problems of our students.CBDM, we have the ability to move beyond the
With the greater social and legal stress placed upontraditional tester, to that of a collaborative, supportive,
schools for increased documentation, this model allowsintegrated part of a team dedicated solely to improving
schools to demonstrate greater accountability. Withinthe educational experience for all students.
this model, regular and special educators are seen asReferences
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