The Pride

The Special Services Department would like to send out a special thanks to the administrators and CARE teams that participated in the Response to Intervention (RTI) training this week.  We’d also like to thank Conco Quarry for allowing us to use their training center.  Karen Kroh, an RTI trainer from the
Kansas City area, spent two days with our CARE teams, helping them to develop a plan for implementing research-based intervention strategies in our schools.   The teams worked very hard to develop an efficient way of coordinating efforts for at risk and struggling learners.  They established group norms, defined roles and duties for each team member, and developed a plan for marketing this innovative approach to our staff, parents, and community. 

We are very excited about the opportunities that RTI allows us.  Other districts who have implemented this approach have seen marked improvement in MAP scores, attendance, student motivation, positive school climate, and community support.    RTI, combined with our already established programs through the Special Services department and alternative school programs, will allow the Willard school system to meet the needs of an ever-growing population of struggling learners more effectively.  We are truly blessed to work in a district with so many faculty members dedicated to improving student achievement; and, we look forward to seeing the positive effect this program has in our district.  Thank you again to all who took part in this ground-breaking endeavor.