Funding Support for Response to Intervention
Posted by Beth DuBose on Oct 21, 2008
Once a district has decided to implement RTI, and created an action plan, the next big question to consider is “How are we going to pay for this?” IDEA 2004 states that “An LEA may use up to 15% of IDEA funds to develop and implement coordinated, early intervening services for students who have not been identified as needing special education or related services, but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment.” Under certain specific conditions Title I and Title III funds may be used for professional development of non-special ed staff as well as for RTI related activities.
According to IDEA 2004, school districts:
♦ Can use up to 15% of Federal Part B funding to provide:
• Professional development
• Education evaluations, services, and supports
• Behavioral evaluations, services, and supports
♦ Who use the 15% of Federal Part B must annually report to their state education agencies (SEA):
• The number of students who received early intervening services
• The number of students who received early intervening services and subsequently received special education services
♦ Must use the full 15% of Federal Part B funding if minority students are overrepresented in their special education programs
In addition to using early intervening funds to implement RTI, districts and principals need to think creatively about how to fund RTI implementation. For instance, they may consider a variety of sources for funding RTI:
REAP (Rural Education Achievement Program Initiative) – These funds target small rural districts. Eligible school districts are allowed to combine the funding under several Titles and can use these funds for any authorized activity. If your school is eligible, these funds can be combined into Title II A or Title V to support RTI.
Transferability – These funds target larger urban districts. Eligible school districts are allowed to combine some of the federal funding under several Titles and use these funds for any authorized activity. If your school is eligible, these funds can be combined into Title II A or Title V and used to support RTI.
Program Improvement Funds – Schools and districts in program improvement may receive additional funds to help them make Adequate Yearly Progress. You may be able to use these additional program improvement dollars to support RTI.
Small Rural Schools Achievement Program Funds through REAP – Eligible schools can apply for these additional funds through the U.S. Department of Education. These funds can be used for authorized activities under the Title programs and can support any of the supplemental activities under the federal programs, including RTI.
General Funds – Another avenue for funding RTI is your district’s general funds. If your school staff really believes the RTI process will make a difference, you should consider collecting the data and showing how it will improve student achievement, approach your school board, and request funds to sustain it.
Pool Your Resources – Federal regulations allow school districts to pool their resources to share services among several schools. One district would simply agree to be the fiscal agent and the funds would flow through that district to pay for the shared activities. A district could pool their funds to support professional development on RTI or hire another reading or math specialist to work with identified students. Another viable option would be to share resources through a regional educational association/agency.
For more information, visit the IRIS Center.