Importance of Documentation
It is imperative that teachers document student progress throughout the RtI/MTSS process so that appropriate decisions can be made about learning and teaching. Documentation begins with data collected from universal screeners that assist teachers in determining areas of strength and weakness for students. Analysis of this data will help teachers make informed decisions about how to best meet the needs of students through implementing research-based interventions.
As interventions are implemented for a struggling student, it is essential that teachers monitor the progress of the student along the way through the use of short assessments or probes to ensure that growth is occurring. Documenting the results of these progress monitors helps the teacher determine whether or not the intervention is effective. It is important that teachers share this progress monitor documentation with parents as they have conversations about student progress as a result of the problem-solving process. If a student does not make adequate progress as a result of intervention efforts over an appropriate amount of time, this data can be used to make important decisions about referring a student to the school’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) team.
As interventions are implemented for a struggling student, it is essential that teachers monitor the progress of the student along the way through the use of short assessments or probes to ensure that growth is occurring. Documenting the results of these progress monitors helps the teacher determine whether or not the intervention is effective. It is important that teachers share this progress monitor documentation with parents as they have conversations about student progress as a result of the problem-solving process. If a student does not make adequate progress as a result of intervention efforts over an appropriate amount of time, this data can be used to make important decisions about referring a student to the school’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) team.