RTI, or Response to Intervention, is a data-driven framework used in schools to identify students who are struggling academically, design targeted instructional plans, and monitor progress toward clear learning goals. It helps educators respond early—before small learning gaps become long-term challenges.
According to the National Center on Response to Intervention, RTI includes four essential components:
Together, these components create a structured and responsive system that adjusts support based on how students actually perform.
RTI is built on a multi-tiered framework that increases support as student needs increase.
Primary prevention (Tier 1) - High-quality academic instruction and curricular supports provided to all students in the general education setting
Secondary prevention (Tier 2) - Small group, evidence-based interventions targeting specific academic needs for students who require additional support beyond Tier 1
Tertiary prevention (Tier 3) - Intensive, individualized interventions for students who show little response to secondary-level supports
This tiered structure allows schools to deliver the right level of support at the right time. Regular screening and progress monitoring help address student needs when they arise and prevent academic failure.
Progress monitoring keeps RTI responsive and enables students to move into the intervention tier most closely matching their needs. When a universal screener indicates that a student requires additional academic or behavioral support, the student transitions into secondary prevention, typically alongside peers with similar needs. Educators then monitor progress regularly to see whether the intervention is working.
After receiving secondary academic intervention:
At the tertiary level, progress monitoring continues in the same way. Students who show improvement can move back through the tiers, while those who continue to struggle receive adjusted or intensified supports. Movement between tiers is fluid and always guided by data.
Screening in RTI typically happens in two stages. This system ensures instructional decisions are based on evidence, not assumptions.
Universal screening
All students are screened at least once a year, typically at the start of the school year. Some schools screen students two or three times a year. These screenings include cut points: benchmark scores that indicate whether a student may need intervention.
Secondary screening + ongoing monitoring
Students who score below the cut point receive more targeted screening and short-term progress monitoring. These tools help determine whether the chosen intervention is effective. Like universal screeners, secondary assessments also use cut points to signal success or the need for continued or intensified support.
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is broader and more comprehensive than RTI.
To learn more about MTSS, read What is MTSS? Everything Educators Should Know from the Wayfinder blog.
(The tiered intervention system is also a core feature of the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) framework. To learn more about PBIS, check out MTSS vs. PBIS: What Are They, and How Do They Differ? on our blog.)
Both MTSS and RTI use tiered levels of support—universal instruction, small-group interventions, and intensive individualized interventions. The key difference is their scope.
While academic support through RTI may improve student behavior as a secondary effect, behavior is not its primary focus. MTSS takes a more holistic approach, applying the tiered framework to multiple areas of student development.
MTSS also extends beyond instruction alone. Effective MTSS implementation often includes:
What does RTI stand for in education?
RTI stands for Response to Intervention. It is a data-driven framework used to identify students who need academic support and provide targeted interventions based on their progress.
How many tiers are in RTI?
RTI typically includes three tiers: primary universal instruction (Tier 1), secondary small-group intervention (Tier 2), and tertiary intensive, individualized supports (Tier 3). Each tier includes increasing levels of instructional intensity.
How is progress monitored in RTI?
Progress is monitored through regular assessments that track whether students are responding to interventions. Data from these assessments determines whether students move between tiers.
What is the main difference between MTSS and RTI?
RTI focuses mainly on academic support, while MTSS addresses holistic needs that may require adjustments to the entire school system, not just instructional materials and practices.
Is RTI part of MTSS?
RTI is often considered a foundational academic component within the broader MTSS framework.
Why do schools use MTSS instead of only RTI?
MTSS allows schools to support the whole child by addressing multiple areas of need, aligning instruction, behavior support, professional learning, and schoolwide systems under one framework.
Click here to explore content that aligns with all tiers of intervention to help your students build future-ready skills.