Arkansas Response to Intervention State Professional Development Grant

Since 2015, AIR has partnered with the Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education to provide training and technical assistance focused on building capacity of districts to support response to intervention (RTI) as part of the Arkansas Response to Intervention State Professional Development Grant. The project includes universal, targeted and intensive supports that build on online professional development modules developed by AIR focused on the essential components of RTI in grades K–12. AIR staff work intensively with Little Rock School District, deliver onsite training to state and district leaders, provide targeted support including coaching and training, and develop universally available tools and interactive content. During the 2019-2020 school year, training supports focused on implementing RTI at the high-school level and providing RTI Overview trainings to regional cooperative leaders across the state. In total, the grant supports 9 districts and 44 schools and has provided professional development to 859 educators from across the state. Overall, 97% of participants indicated that the trainings aligned to their district and school goals and 98% of participants indicated increased skills to support RTI implementation and other initiatives. In addition, state assessment scores during 2017-2018 school year increased by 8.82% for students with disabilities in grades 3 – 5. Additionally, 30 of the 44 schools increased in total number of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards on the state assessment, ACT Aspire.