Response to Intervention for Gifted and Talented Students

Abstract

Within the context of inclusive education, response to intervention (RtI) can be a promising educational model for gifted and talented children. The RtI model is a multi-tiered framework, where children's exceptional needs are addressed by multidisciplinary teams. At Tier I, supports are provided within the mainstream educational setting for all children through differentiated curricula. When Tier I supports seem insufficient, Tier II follows with a more supportive framework. Curriculum compacting and problem-based learning, students' acceleration, resource rooms and cluster grouping of gifted and talented students are some strategies of Tier II, ensuring a more responsive setting for their intellect. For those children who need even more intensive support, there is Tier III, where educational planning is specialized and individualized to both the abilities and needs of the gifted child. In this chapter, both organizational and instructional changes in each tier are discussed to ensure that gifted and talented students are in the best educational environment.