Response to Intervention: Best Practice for Implementation in Secondary Schools

Deb Brennan and Nancy Guerrero were a wealth of knowledge for RtI practices at the secondary level. They made it clear that RtI is a framework of systems, philosophies and practices that help ensure the success of all students in each tier. They may have been speaking through the lens of RtI, but they were really simply describing great teaching and effective leadership. They helped us understand that RtI is not a program. It's who we are and what we do to ensure that every student finds his or her success.

Dee Carney's session provides teams and schools multiple resources to improve assessment literacy, data analysis process, and assessment protocols to build capacity of staff to improve results. Very helpful....

Breakout Session:Building School Success Through Effective Team Collaboration with Damen Lopez

Mr. Lopez has shared a Three-Tiered Team Collaboration Process:

Daily- Collaboration that involves the work that teachers do directly with students.

Weekly- Time held sacred for team planning.

Monthly- Professional Growth.

RTI Best Practices for Behavior in Elementary Schools

Kathy Golden began with a helpful, succinct overview of the RTI Behavior process and Tiers. The session also included a purposeful panel of three RRISD administrators (Johanna Friedel, Mandy Estes and Mark Pratz) who shared ideas, resources and behavioral strategies they have found effective within their school communities.

Exceptional Systems

Reflection: If we need exceptional systems at each of six levels, we will start at the beginning. Our team will spend time reflecting on the culture in our group, the culture we reflect to others and how to support the cultures in each of our schools. We will need to define culture and our expectations of achievement. Our goals will include articulating conclusions in written form at each of the six steps so that our system is transparent.

The True Weight of the Wrench

Damen Lopez was the perfect start to the 2010-2011 school year. He reminded us why we entered education, created a sense of urgency for the achievement of our vision, and challenged us to take action – individually or as a school. What will be your first step (remember… no excuses)?

Damen Lopez

Damen Lopez spoke of how schools are improving across the nation. One point was foundational in that endeavor – belief - belief in the ability of our students to learn. Educators always ask about solutions. Solutions are out there. There is no mystery on how change occurs. The question becomes – Do the teachers in your school really believe they can help students learn? More importantly, do you believe they can learn? And if not, what will you do about it?