**9. Conclusion**

In summary, RTI has changed the way educators and clinicians identify and support students who may be experiencing difficulty, in an educational setting. The intention of intervening early on with a treatment-oriented diagnosis process is to prevent students from falling too far behind their peers, requiring special education services. The reauthorization of IDEA (04) has changed the landscape for educators and SLPs, alike. RTI is a multitiered approach that allows students to receive support at a level that is optimal and individualized for their specific learning needs or deficits. In Tier 1, students receive instruction within the general education setting [9]. In Tier 2, interventions can be provided from a specialist during the school day or from a tutor [4]. In Tier 3, intensive instruction and/or special education services are individualized to meet significant needs of a student [4]. **Figure 1** provides an illustration of RTI and an overview of each tier. The emphasis on evidence-based interventions, constant monitoring, and systematic support remains the primary focus of RTI methods.
