Practica

A major component of the project involves having trainees serve as a practicum student in a school district that is implementing an RtI model of service delivery for one academic year, two days per week. During year one of the project, trainees will spend their first semester (120 clock hours, 2 days per week, 15 weeks) primarily in observation of various RtI components:

• Observing the implementation of core instructional programs in general education settings
• Observing the data analysis team decision making process
• Facilitating the data interpretation process of universal screening measures
• Observing the data collection and analysis process of universal screening
• Becoming familiar with district policies and supports for implementing the RtI service delivery model

During year one of the project, in the second semester (120 clock hours), trainees will take an active role in the team process, and be given responsibilities for hands on implementation of assessment, intervention development, progress monitoring, and other aspects of the implementation of the RtI process.

Under the direction of a practicing school psychologist at the practicum site, trainees will:

• Be assigned at least two cases for which RtI procedures will be used. These cases may include assessment and consultation for students who display academic deficiencies and/or behavioral difficulties (at tiers 1 and 2).
• Observe the multi-disciplinary evaluation process for special education eligibility that uses an RtI format.
• Conduct required assessment, intervention, and consultative activities related to any course based activities.