Web-Based Resources Supporting a 3-Tier ( RTI ) Model for Early Literacy
Oakland Schools Early Childhood, Learning Services, and Special Education Departments are privileged to have facilitated pilot projects with elementary schools around the county in their implementation of a 3-Tier, response to intervention (RTI) framework for early literacy instruction. The goal of a 3-Tier, RTI framework for early literacy is to improve student achievement using a coordinated, data-driven system so that each student receives the research-based instruction and support necessary to read on grade level.
As a result of our work with pilot schools and Oakland County building leadership teams, Oakland Schools has developed presentations, resources, and tools to assist schools who may be exploring a 3-Tier, RTI framework. Prior to beginning to implement a 3-Tier framework, schools are advised to spend time exploring the big ideas of this school-wide model. Schools who commit to an RTI framework undergo three distinct phases of implementation: Consensus, Infrastructure and Initial Implementation, and Sustained Implementation. The resources below are organized according to this sequence of implementation. For questions, please contact Dr. Joan Firestone, Director of Early Childhood Education, at Joan.Firestone@Oakland.k12.mi.us.
EXPLORATION: RTI and 3-Tier Early Literacy Big Ideas
History of the Oakland Schools 3-Tier Elementary Literacy Pilot Project,
"RTI: Really Terrific Idea? Really Terrible Idea?"- Powerpoint
Essential Elements of RTI and a 3-Tier Framework
Action Steps for Consensus, Infrastructure, and Implementation
Leadership Team Readiness Survey 
Links
The websites listed below are for administrators, teachers, and parents to review, and are neither specifically recommended nor endorsed by Oakland Schools.
Tools for Determining a Compelling Need for a 3-Tier Framework & Attending to Consensus
Tools for Creating Professional Learning Communities within a 3-Tier Framework
Tools for Aligning and Prioritizing Resources
- System Wide Success Grid Activity
- Mapping Current District and Building Initiatives Worksheet
- Long-Term School Timeline Example
- School Yearly Timeline Example
- 3-Tier Descriptions Activity
- Schoolwide 3-Tier Framework (Oregon) Example
- Schoolwide 3-Tier Framework (Oakland County) Example
- Schoolwide 3-Tier Framework Blank Page
- Oakland Schools 3-Tier Website Bookmark
Tools for Communicating Schoolwide RTI Efforts to Parents
Self-Assessments and Action Planning Tools
- Staff Reflection Worksheet
- Grade-Level or Building Self-Assessment: Example 1
- Grade-Level or Building Self-Assessment: Example 2
- Grade-Level or Building Self-Assessment: Example 3
- Grade-Level or Building Self-Assessment: Example 4
- Self-Assessment Summary Page- Example 1
- Self-Assessment Summary Page- Example 2
- Blank Action Plan- Example 1
- Blank Action Plan- Example 2
- Blank Action Plan- Example 3
- Leadership Team Reflection Guide for Developing Consensus (Day 1) Worksheet
- Leadership Team Reflection Guide for Consensus, Infrastructure, Implementation (Day 5) Worksheet
PHASE 2- INFRASTRUCTURE AND INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION
Key Components of Infrastructure Handout
- Assessment in a 3-Tier (RTI) Model- Powerpoint
- Principles of Data Use in a 3-Tier (RTI) Model- Powerpoint
- Assessment Organizer from Lake Orion District (Oakland County)- Example
Universal Screening (Benchmark Assessment)
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is one example of a universal screening assessment tool; however schools using an RTI framework may choose to use other available universal screening tools. The pilot schools in Oakland County use DIBELS as a universal screening assessment tool and Oakland Schools offers professional development training for DIBELS on a regular basis.
Beginning in the fall of 2010, the 7th Edition of DIBELS, DIBELS Next, will be available for download at http://dibels.org/. Schools may choose to continue with the DIBELS 6th Edition materials or transition to DIBELS Next. The DIBELS Data System will be available for each version of DIBELS for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years. Beginning in the fall of 2012 however, only the DIBELS Next Data System will be available.
Oakland Schools offers two types of training for staff who wish to transition to DIBELS Next: DIBELS Next Transitions (a 1-day training for staff who have already been officially trained in DIBELS) and DIBELS Next Essentials (a 2-day training for staff who have never been officially trained in DIBELS). Please visit the Oakland Schools Professional Development webpage to register for a training. If you are unable to participate in a face-to-face training, Dynamic Measurement Group offers online training for DIBELS Next Transitions and DIBELS Next Essentials. While our recommendation is to take advantage of an official Oakland Schools training, this online training option would help buildings ensure higher fidelity of implementation than teachers attempting to train themselves or learn from the teacher next door.
- DIBELS Assessment Logistics- Powerpoint
- Position Paper from Oakland Schools on "Administration of DIBELS Measures with Students Who Are English Language Learners"
- Position Paper from Dynamic Measurement Group on "The Truth About DIBELS"
- DIBELS: Myths and Facts
- DIBELS Parent Letter Template
- Position Paper from Dynamic Measurement Group on "DIBELS and System-Wide Accountability Decisions"
- DIBELS Next Refresher Packets and Fidelity Checklists:
- Benchmark Goals
- DIBELS Next Benchmark Assessment materials (3 times per year)
- DIBELS Next Progress Monitoring (for interventions)
Problem Solving in Grade-Level Meetings 
- Problem Solving Process at Grade Level Meetings: Fall- Powerpoint
- Problem Solving Process at Grade Level Meetings: Winter- Powerpoint
- Problem Solving Process at Grade Level Meetings: Spring- Powerpoint
- A Model for Conducting a Functional Assessment of Academic Performance Problems- Article by Daly, Martens, Witt, and Dool (PDF)
Classroom Data Organizers
- Grouping for Classroom and Small Group Instruction at Grade-Level Meetings-Powerpoint
- How to Use Classroom Organizers for Data Display- Powerpoint
Classroom Organizers (Print double-sided to facilitate note-taking):
Based on DIBELS 6th Edition: Based on DIBELS Next:
Analysis of Core Reading Program
Tools for Core Instruction
Tools for Intervention
- The Continuum of Interventions in a 3-Tier Early Literacy Model- Powerpoint
- Characteristics of Intervention in a 3-Tier Model- Powerpoint
- Characteristics of Intervention: Role Play Activity
- A Review of the Continuum of Interventions in a 3-Tier Early Literacy Model- Powerpoint
- Intervention Planning Process Tool Handout
- Intervention Alignment Tool Handout
- Intervention Attendance Sheet Example
- Instructional Variables Checklist
- Considerations When Adding an Additional Intervention to Your Literacy Continuum Handout
- Matching Book Levels to Literacy Behaviors and Word Study Skills: Guidesheet
- Example #1- Intervention Planning Form
- Example #2- Intervention Planning Form
- Example #3- Intervention Planning Form
- Student Intervention Plans from Donelson Hills Elementary- Example 1 and Example 2
- Charts for Graphing Progress from Donelson Hills Elementary- Example 1
- Visual Schedule and Self-Monitoring Sheets from Donelson Hills Elementary- Example 1
- Intervention Integrity Checklists from Heartland AEA
Progress Monitoring
Self-Assessments and Action Planning Tools
- Leadership Team Reflection Guide for Developing Infrastructure (Day 2) Worksheet
- Leadership Team Reflection Guide for Developing Infrastructure for Grade-Level Team Meetings (Day 3) Worksheet
PHASE 3- SUSTAINED IMPLEMENTATION
Bringing New Staff On-Board
- Leadership Team Implementation Training: Day 5 Powerpoint
- Leadership Team Implementation Training: Day 6 Powerpoint
- Leadership Team Implementation Training: Day 7 Powerpoint
- Leadership Team Implementation Training: Day 8 Powerpoint
Implementation Integrity
- Implementation Integrity Toolkit:
Stakeholder Shareout Power Point Template
Professional Development Opportunities at Oakland Schools
2011-12 RTI for Early Literacy PD Opportunities
Professional development should be aligned with school and grade-level action plans to the fullest extent possible. Oakland Schools offers a variety of professional development opportunities to support schools that are exploring or implementing a 3-Tier, RTI early literacy framework. Please check out our professional development webpage at https://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/tabid/677/Default.aspx and use the Advanced Search option to find the following offerings that occur on a regular basis:
Class Type Title
English Language Arts/ Literacy Early Childhood Response to Intervention: Grade-Level Data Meetings for Elementary
Literacy
English Language Arts/ Literacy Early Childhood Response to Intervention: What to Think About when Evaluating
Your Multi-Tiered System of Support
English Language Arts/ Literacy Early Childhood Response to Intervention: Exploring RTI and Establishing Consensus
English Language Arts/ Literacy Early Childhood Response to Intervention (RTI) Networking
English Language Arts/ Literacy Early Childhood Effective Instruction for Elementary Readers
English Language Arts/ Literacy Early Childhood MLPP
Assessment Special Education Core Principles of Assessment
Assessment Special Education DIBELS Next Transitions
Assessment Special Education DIBELS Next Essentials
Assessment Special Education CBM for Goal Setting and Progress Monitoring
Assessment Special Education RTI Assessment for Reading Intervention
Original 3-Tier (RTI) pilot schools in Oakland County include: Donelson Hills Elementary (Waterford), Riverside Elementary (Waterford), Schalm Elementary (Clawson), Grandview Elementary (Clarenceville), Halfman Elementary (Madison), Edison Elementary (Madison), Costello Elementary (Troy), and Musson Elementary (Rochester).
While our pilot schools and building leadership teams continue to implement this framework over time, and professional learning continues to be developed at Oakland Schools, we are proud to provide access to the resources above for schools that are exploring or implementing RTI.