By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
MONTICELLO — A new method of responding to student needs is currently under way for teachers and administrators in SAD 29.
Assistant Superintendent Dawn Dougan and Houlton Southside School Principal Jason Tarr gave a 45-minute presentation to the SAD 29 Board of Directors on Response to Intervention (RTI) during Monday night’s meeting at Wellington School in Monticello.
The goal of RTI program, according to Dougan, is to reduce the number of students being referred to special education programs by identifying those students in need early on, when the first signs of struggles arise.
“RTI is a pre-referral process that has been mandated through Special Education legislation,” Dougan said. “The premise is that research shows that when students tend to struggle, the best place for intervention is right in their classroom. Many of the items that students struggle with, if caught early, can get them back up to whatever the expectation is for their individual learning without going into other programs.”
The program, which teachers and administrators have been developing, is designed to function as a data-based process of diagnosing learning disabilities in a systematic approach.
By July 1, 2010, the district is required to have an RTI plan in effect so that it can be utilized during the 2010-11 school year.
“Basically, RTI uses a very structured process in which assessments will be given to all students, that will outline what their basic knowledge base should be at a certain level,” Dougan said. “Those students who are found to be struggling academically or behaviorally, will have a team that will look at the information and identify interventions that can be done in the regular classroom.”
The RTI process focuses on how well students respond to changes in instruction or “interventions.” Supplementary supports and interventions vary on a case-by-case basis.
Using a three-tiered model of school supports, the first tier provides a universal intervention for all students. The second tier targets some at-risk students with group interventions, while the third tier provides intensive, individual attention.
Superintendent Stephen Fitzpatrick informed the board that there would be a sneak peak of the Houlton High School auditorium from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 for board members.
The board also approved the first reading of a Revised Professional Staff Use of Wireless Telecommunication Devices (cell phones); and received a copy of the Parent Computer Technology signature page for student laptops.
Outgoing board members Glenn Miller and Brian McGuire were recognized for their contributions to the school board.
“It’s been rewarding, at times, and a learning curve all the way through,” Miller said of his tenure on the school board. “I wish the board well. You have some good members and are in good hands, but you have your work cut out for you in the next year or so. The biggest thing is communication with board members and the public as well.”
McGuire, who serves as board chairman, thanked his fellow board members for their tireless efforts through the years.
“I appreciate all the hard work each and everyone has done,” he said. “I will miss you guys, and I wish you the best.”
In other action items, the board:
• Approved Ben Drew as a 5th and 6th grade girls basketball coach for Houlton Southside.
• Approved Rob Moran as a 5th and 6th grade girls basketball coach for Houlton Southside.
• Approved Julie Dunn and Sheri Good as varsity cheering co-coaches.
The next regular meeting for the SAD 29 school board will be 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 at the Superintendent’s conference room at Houlton High School.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
BOARD MEMBERS HONORED — The SAD 29 board of directors said farewell to two outgoing members Monday evening as Brian McGuire, top photo, and Glenn Miller, below, whose terms expired on the school board. The two were presented with plaques by Superintendent Stephen Fitzpatrick.
