Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Publication Date

2-13-2014

Abstract

This qualitative case study explores teacher efficacy in the decision making process within the Response to Intervention (RtI) Framework: from the initial Student Assistance Team (SAT) process through the Tier II interventions and the possible referral to Tier III. The study focuses on one elementary school of a rural northern New Mexico school district, collecting data from certified regular education teachers, the current principal, the former principal and the district Special Education Director. Teachers are categorized as either novice, intermediate, or veteran based on their years of experience. The Response to Intervention (RtI) process, if properly administered, may substantially reduce the numbers of students with disabilities being served in segregated settings. RtI is not a silver bullet that will magically reform the study site, schools in New Mexico, or the United States. Properly trained teachers and administrators who successfully develop and implement RtI interventions may, however, decrease the number of students recommended for Tier III. Teachers at the study site are not unlike teachers in other school districts around New Mexico and the nation. Teachers have not been properly trained in the process at the university level and do not receive sufficient professional development once hired in the school district. This study finds that teachers at the research site were not efficacious in the development and implementation of Tier II of the RtI process.

Keywords

Response to Intervention, Student Assistance Team, teacher efficacy, Tier II interventions

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Educational Leadership

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Arlie Woodrum

Second Committee Member

Allison M. Borden

Third Committee Member

Viola E. Florez

Fourth Committee Member

Anne Tafoya

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