2008–2009

Response to Intervention Commission

This commission will serve until May 2011.

RTI is a rapidly evolving concept that touches a wide range of students, teachers, and schools. Although the idea was conceived in the IDEA legislation of 2004, the implications are far-reaching for regular and special educators alike. RTI engages teachers and specialists in the selection of appropriate classroom reading instruction, continuous monitoring of student learning, and encourages the adaptation of instruction to meet the changing needs of all students. This makes way for systemic educational reform. To be part of this system-wide reform, IRA needs to link the talents of its membership with opportunities for involvement in implementation and professional development.

Charges:

1. Review the status of the RTI environment and make recommendations to the IRA Board of Directors on an ongoing basis, every four months on member needs for RTI; and the contribution that IRA information and perspectives would contribute to ongoing discussions at the local, state, and national levels.

2. Develop a framework of core principles that represents the best interests of all children, effective teacher practices, and the wealth of knowledge across IRA. Bring to this conversation, perspectives from diverse partners, members, and constituencies.

  3. Develop a multi-year, multi-part set of activities and an informational delivery system that reflects the needs of the Association, the demands of the marketplace, the needs of the wider education community, and of external agencies.
  a. Raise IRA's visibility and involvement in the wider community of individuals working with RTI in order to improve the educational experience of students with reading/language arts difficulties.
  b. Recommend to the IRA Board of Directors potential publications to be developed which further enhance the concept of RTI and make recommendations of those to be approached as either author(s) and/or presenter(s).
  c. Recommend and generate material(s) to serve as a "clearinghouse" which expand the range of exemplars and possibilities for RTI response.

4. Recommend to the IRA Board of Directors position statements to be developed and communicated to other organizations and policymaking bodies.

Marjorie Y. Lipson, Co-Chair
University of Vermont
536 Waterman Bldg
Burlington, VT 05405-0001
Office: 802-656-3356
Fax: 802-656-0004
Home: 802-863-0296
Email

Karen Wixson, Co-Chair
Professor of Education
University of Michigan
1321 School of Education Building
610 E University Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1259
Office: 734-647-6298
Fax: 734-763-1368
Home: 734-747-9732
Email

Barbara J. Walker, Board Liaison
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa
Tulsa, OK, United States

James F. Baumann
Laramie, WY, United States

Laura Broach
Washington, DC, United States

Carol Connor
Tallahassee, FL, United States

Jamal Cooks
San Francisco State University
Oakland, CA, United States

Karen A. Costello
East Lyme Board of Education
East Lyme, CT, United States

Barbara J. Ehren
University of Central Florida
Winter Springs, FL, United States

Sandra K. Goetze
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK, United States

Peter H. Johnston
The University at Albany - SUNY
Altamont, NY, United States

Janette K. Klingner
University of Colorado at Boulder
Boulder, CO, United States

Barbara Laster
Towson University
Towson, MD, United States

Nonie Lesaux
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, MA, United States

Barbara A. Marinak
Penn State University
Harrisburg, PA, United States

Susan M. Watts-Taffe
Educational Researcher & Consultant
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Mary F. Zolman
Arlington Pub Schools
Arlington, VA, United States

Alan Farstrup, Ex Officio
Executive Director
International Reading Association
Newark, DE, United States

Richard Long, Ex Officio
Director, Government Relations
International Reading Association
Washington, DC, United States

Cathy M. Roller, Ex Officio
Director, Research & Policy
International Reading Association
Washington, DC, United States

Advisory Group:

David J. Chard
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX, United States

Janice A. Dole
University of Utah
Provo, UT, United States

Linda G. Fielding
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA, United States

Annemarie Palincsar
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Jeanne R. Paratore
Boston University
Manchester, MA, United States

Robert S. Rueda
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Donna M. Scanlon
University of Albany
Albany, NY, United States

Pamela M. Stecker
Clemson University
Pendleton, SC, United States

Sheila W. Valencia
University of Washington
Seattle, WA, United States